11/23: GOP: Breast Exams Show ‘Rationing’
Posted by Editor on November 23, 2009 · 8 Comments
Confusing new recommendations on mammograms and pap smears are playing into public fears about the increased role the federal government would play in health care if President Barack Obama’s health care reform efforts are successful.
Even some supporters of health care reform legislation, which faces a critical test vote in the Senate Saturday, say the recent spate of stories is damaging to the drive for an overhaul of the system.
maybe this is a silly question, but how come the first two health recommendations are related to women’s health issues???
are our tests so costly ? are our lives so under valued? are there too many of us so we are expendable?!
No happy1, that’s not a silly question at all. I understand your concern. I had a grandmother who died of breast cancer, and one who, with treatment, survived it. And a daughter who at increased risk, as well as four sisters with the same increased risk.
Please read this for a more balanced and informative discussion of the issues:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/17/health/17cancer.html?_r=1
If you’re worried about breast cancer, get a mammogram, and get one yearly, whatever your age. But PLEASE talk to your doctor about it.
There were no sinister motivations in the new recommendations. They were meant to make things better for the average woman, not kill them, as you’ll see if you read the link.
I am very troubled about what is being said on the age you have to be to get a breast exam. My wife was 28 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer . So what Sarah Palin said about DEATH PANELS was not far off the mark. The Government has its way the AMERICAN PEOPLE will be broke and dead. We need to cut there pay to pay for healthcare. Breast cancer is a very real problem the Government has no reason to be involved in making decesions in this problem. The people in government need to sit down cross there legs close there mouth hold there nose and fart maybe they will ciear there mind. They have no clue in what is going on in this country at the main street level. Thank you Glenn Beck for what you do. Thanks again.
I am troubled about the lack of understanding on this issue. These were guidlines, not mandates and the were not issue by “the governement.” Decades ago a group of doctors came up with the age of 40, and now, another set of doctors has said that the risks of having a mammogram before age 50 outweigh the benefits.
Actually “the government” – meaning the White House – said to ignore the new guidlines if you don’t like them.
But no one has said you can’t have a mammogram before age 50. You can have one every week if you want.
It’s a sad state of affairs in this country that the news is twisted to suit political needs. That, in fact, was the point of the article.
Once the government get’s their hands on our healthcare they will no longer make the suggestion to “ignore the guidelines” because it will not be a guideline anymore. It will be a mandate.
The government has had their hands on Medicare for 50 years and that hasn’t happened.
I am very concerned about this recent article. I have a family history of Breast cancer in my family. I am 40 yrs old and do not want to be told at 50 “oh wait you have stage 4 breast cancer” sorry? These mammograms are very important. How is it we take strides forward and our government slaps us back to the stoneage? Next will be colonoscopys, pacemakers etc. I fear for my young daughters future with all this chaos going on. sincerely, lisa
My daughter has an elevated risk for breast cancer, so I’m sympathetic. The article link you read was about how the GOP is trying to spin the recommendation, not the basis for the recommendation. Here’s a better article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/17/health/17cancer.html
The recommendation were not made by the government, they were made by an independent group of doctors. Women with risk factors for breast cancer are excluded from the recommendations. The White House said to ignore the recommendations (which I thought was ridiculous, but might make some people feel better).
The only thing you have to worry about is your insurance company.