Doctors, Politicians Blast Murderous Mammogram Decision

The furor raised by the Obama Administration taskforce's recommendation to let large numbers of women die, by denying them "harmful" mammograms, has just begun. Some notable statements follow:

Among the strongest is the Nov. 16 attack by the American College of Radiology, which said the decision will lead to "countless deaths." They continue:

"The USPSTF recommendations are a step backward and represent a significant harm to women's health. To tell women they should not get regular mammograms starting at 40 when this approach has overwhelmingly been shown to save lives is shocking. At least 40% of the patient years of life saved by mammographic screening are of women aged 40-49. These recommendations are inconsistent with current science and apparently have been developed in an attempt to reduce costs. Unfortunately, many women may pay for this unsound approach with their lives," said the president of the Society of Breast Imaging.

"... The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA) gave HHS the authority to consider USPSTF recommendations in Medicare coverage determinations for additional preventive services. Recently, Congress has expressed their desire to broaden this authority and enhance the role of USPSTF in terms of its impact on coverage for existing services."

The ACR is joined by the American Cancer Society, many women survivors of breast cancer, and leading doctors such as Dr. Daniel B. Kopans, head of radiology at Harvard Medical School, who said "Tens of thousands of lives are being saved by mammography screening, and these idiots want to do away with it. It's crazy—unethical, really."

Republican Congressmen and women have also spoken up, pointing to the decision as a step toward rationing. They include Rep. David Camp of Michigan, and three female Republicans, Marsha Blackburn (TN), Cathy Rodgers (WA), and Sue Myrick (NC), who held a press conference today to say "This is how rationing begins. This is the little toe in the edge of the water.... This is what we have warned about." Rep. Candice Miller (R-MI) is quoted saying the decision if a "huge step backward" that put the nation on a "slippery slope" to discouraging screening for other diseases based on cost rather than medical need.