The Dread of Changing Health Policies

A couple of weeks ago, the government set up new guidelines for breast cancer screening - and provoked a storm of protests. The evidence, carefully sifted by the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force, showed that a mammogram every second year was sufficient to protect women in their forties, not the once yearly test previously recommended. But they did not reckon on the emotional fallout from their announcement.

For many people, it looked like the Task Force was taking a crucial protection away from women. That view was shared by the American College of Radiology, not surprisingly as that group obviously did stand to lose income from less testing. A number of politicians as well as The American Cancer Society, closely aligned with public opinion, joined in the protests.

In this political climate where stakeholders are bitterly contesting congressional healthcare proposals, the new policy aroused fears of rationing and other forms of government interference. Everyone is on edge about the charges and counter-charges, up to and including the notorious allegations of "death panels." But that actually did not seem to be what was at stake.