White House Administration Flip Flops on Mammogram Guidelines

Well it sure didn’t take long for another expected flip flop to occur on this White House Administration’s watch. This time it is on the issue of the mammograms recommended age guidelines as per the United States Preventive Services Task Force a tentacle of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Oh the irony! This issue created many interesting discussions with topics aimed at this issue being the beginning to the rationing of health care.

I wonder when the illustrious 21 member panel of the U.S Preventive Services Task Force met in it’s entirety (1), what were the winning results of research to hatchet the long standing recommendations that have not completed 3 generations of observations to validate such rapid change, and when is the next scheduled meeting of the panel (2)?

Now really, who made this call?

(1) Directly from http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-24306.htm

[Federal Register: October 9, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 195)]
[Notices]
[Page 52249-52250]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09oc09-84]

———————————————————————–

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality:
Request for Nominations for Public Members

AGENCY: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), HHS.

ACTION: Request for nominations for public members.

———————————————————————–

SUMMARY: Section 931 of the Public Health Service Act (PHS Act), 42
U.S.C. 299c, established a National Advisory Council for Healthcare
Research and Quality (the Council). The Council is to advise the
Secretary of HHS (Secretary) and the Director of the Agency for
Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) on matters related to activities
of the Agency to improve the quality, safety, efficiency, and
effectiveness of health care for all Americans.
Seven current members’ terms will expire in November 2009. To fill
these positions in accordance with the legislative mandate establishing
the Council, we are seeking individuals who are distinguished: (1) In
the conduct of research, demonstration projects, and evaluations with
respect to health care; (2) in the fields of health care quality
research or health care improvement; (3) in the practice of medicine;
(4) in other health professions; (5) in representing the private health
care sector (including health plans, providers, and purchasers) or
administrators of health care delivery systems; (6) in the fields of
health care economics, information systems, law, ethics, business, or
public policy; and (7) in representing the interests of patients and
consumers of health care. Individuals are particularly sought with
experience and success in activities specified in the summary above.

DATES: Nominations should be received on or before Friday, November 20,
2009.

ADDRESSES: Nominations should be sent to Ms. Deborah Queenan, AHRQ, 540
Gaither Road, Room 3238, Rockville, Maryland 20850. Nominations also
may be faxed to (301) 427-1341.

[[Page 52250]]

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Deborah Queenan, AHRQ, at (301)
427-1330.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 931 of the PHS Act, 42 U.S.C. 299c,
provides that the Secretary shall appoint to the National Advisory
Council for Healthcare Research and Quality twenty-one appropriately
qualified individuals. At least seventeen members shall be
representatives of the public and at least one member shall be a
specialist in the rural aspects of one or more of the professions or
fields listed in the above summary. In addition, the Secretary
designates, as ex officio members, representatives from other Federal
agencies specified in the authorizing legislation, principally agencies
that conduct or support health care research, as well as Federal
officials the Secretary may consider appropriate. The Council meets in
the Washington, DC metropolitan area, generally in Rockville, Maryland,
approximately three times a year to provide broad guidance to the
Secretary and AHRQ’s Director on the direction of and programs
undertaken by AHRQ.
Seven individuals will be selected presently by the Secretary to
serve on the Council beginning with the meeting in the spring of 2010.
Members generally serve 3-year terms. Appointments are staggered to
permit an orderly rotation of membership.
Interested persons may nominate one or more qualified persons for
membership on the Council. Self-nominations are accepted. Nominations
shall include: (1) A copy of the nominee’s r[eacute]sum[eacute] or
curriculum vitae; and (2) a statement that the nominee is willing to
serve as a member of the Council. Selected candidates will be asked to
provide detailed information concerning their financial interests,
consultant positions and research grants and contracts, to permit
evaluation of possible sources of conflict of interest.
The Department seeks a broad geographic representation. In
addition, AHRQ conducts and supports research concerning priority
populations, which include: Low-income groups; minority groups; women;
children; the elderly; and individuals with special health care needs,
including individuals with disabilities and individuals who need
chronic care or end-of-life health care. See 42 U.S.C. 299(c).
Nominations of candidates with expertise in health care for these
priority populations are encouraged.

Dated: October 2, 2009.
Carolyn M. Clancy,
Director.
[FR Doc. E9-24306 Filed 10-8-09; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4160-90-M
(2) Is the bold quote from the above – Request for Nominations for Public Members. “…Seven individuals will be selected presently by the Secretary to serve on the Council beginning with the meeting in the spring of 2010…”

There’s more to be written about the United States Preventive Services Task Force… to be continued.

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