Mammogram Recommendations: First Sign of Rationing?

Posted by Paul Hsieh in Health Care on Nov 19th, 2009 | no responses

The federal government has announced new guidelines, recommending fewer screening mammograms for women. This advice flies in the face of long-established scientific positions from the American Cancer Society and the American College of Radiology.

Ed Morrissey at HotAir.com raises the question as to whether this is the first sign of rationing in the form of government bodies overruling medical opinion.

Fortunately, for now many doctors will ignore these guidelines and continue to practice according to their medical conscience.

Here are a few other good pointers for more information and analysis of this story:

“A Breast Cancer Preview: Mammograms Provide Preview of ObamaCare”
Wall Street Journal, November 19, 2009

“Rationing’s First Steps”
Investor’s Business Daily, November 18, 2009

“Former Red Cross chief: Feds’ new mammography policy is ‘a shocking thing’”
HotAir.com, November 18, 2009

Here’s the original Washington Post story that started much of the discussion:

“Breast exam guidelines now call for less testing”
Rob Stein, Washington Post, November 17, 2009

For a long time, President Obama and his political allies have said that his proposals will save money by cutting back unnecessary expensive high-tech health care, and focusing on preventative care.

Now they want to reduce one of the most scientifically proven preventative measures (screening mammography) on the grounds that it would eliminate unnecessary patient worry and treatment complications. In other words, these restrictions are for our own good.

Just remember, they’re from the government and they’re here to help us!