Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2010
 |  Follow Newser on Twitter   Friend Newser on Facebook   Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds   Subscribe to Newser emails Newsletters


 OPINION 
1

Mammogram Backdown Hurts Health Reform

Sebelius played politics, missed chance to show leadership

Share

(Newser) – Health secretary Kathleen Sebelius has set back the cause of health care reform in her rush to distance herself from the recommendation of her own department's task force concerning mammograms, writes Steven Pearlstein. The advice that women under 50 shouldn't get annual mammograms was based on science, and Sebelius should have used the opportunity to make the case for evidence-based medicine instead of caving in, Pearlstein writes in the Washington Post.

Sebelius' failure to show leadership will hurt efforts to revamp the health care system based on what really works and what doesn't, Pearlstein writes. She should have announce that implementation of the task force advice would be delayed for a year while consensus was sought among doctors and patients, showing that the administration is committed to reform based on hard evidence, but also sensitive to public opinion, Pearlstein argues.

A scientist uses special glasses to review breast images.
A scientist uses special glasses to review breast images.   (AP Photo/BBN Technologies)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Rather than showing the leadership necessary to lead a grown-up national discussion on how to eliminate unnecessary or wasteful procedures, Sebelius simply disowned the task force and ran for political cover. - Steven Pearlstein

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
1 comment
VIEWING:
 
Reader83547901
Nov 20, 09 10:30 PM CST
I am so angry at the report that just came out regarding the fact that they suggest that women no longer need to do self exams and do not need mammograms except for every two years. After all of the years that the American Medical board has thought to be so important. Then, 2 days later say that women don't need papsmears until the age of 21 and then only every three years. What are they trying to do to our mothers, wives, and daughters? I doubt that Obama is smart enough to have orchestrated this. Why? Well, his current Health Care program is not being well received by the American People. Was he smart enough (I doubt it) to think that he could create a major uproar by the women of America regarding something that is so near and dear to their hearts. We JUST came through Breast Cancer Awareness Month for God's sake. Is he using this so that he will now add this coverage to his Health Bill so that America will contact their congress and senate to pass the bill because it contain coverage for papsmears and mammograms? Does he really think that we are stupid. He is a failure. Plain and simple. Women should have these exams. After all, a lot of medical research went into why women need these exams and have suggested that women get them on a regular basis. Talk about Socialism. Is he really going to use this issue to get this Health Care bill past? I really hope that women stick to their guns and just insist on doing what they know they need to do and not be hoodwinked into an Obama lie. I am a man and this latest medical report makes me angry. I love my wife of 35 years and I believe that she should have the best medical care available and not try and play games with their health. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
LEAVE A
COMMENT
Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

from our news partners

Please wait, content is loading
Please wait, content is loading

Just For Laughs

Loading...