HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Kathleen Sebelius made an Important Statement

StephN · 11-18-2009, 11:34 PM

Dear Margie -
Thanks for the posts regarding the link between this "independent panel" and the top of government.

Seems that Rich66 was just suggesting that there were getting to be a lot of threads on this topic of the task force recommendations. Not that you are scattered.

We live in some uncertain times, and those of us with breast cancer have double the uncertainty. Not fair.

I found Sebelius' statement:

"On Wednesday, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius issued the following statement on the new screening recommendations:
"There is no question that the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations have caused a great deal of confusion and worry among women and their families across this country. I want to address that confusion head on. The U.S. Preventive Task Force is an outside independent panel of doctors and scientists who make recommendations. They do not set federal policy and they don't determine what services are covered by the federal government."
"There has been debate in this country for years about the age at which routine screening mammograms should begin, and how often they should be given. The Task Force has presented some new evidence for consideration but our policies remain unchanged. Indeed, I would be very surprised if any private insurance company changed its mammography coverage decisions as a result of this action."
"What is clear is that there is a great need for more evidence, more research and more scientific innovation to help women prevent, detect and fight breast cancer, the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women."
"My message to women is simple. Mammograms have always been an important lifesaving tool in the fight against breast cancer and they still are today. Keep doing what you have been doing for years -- talk to your doctor about your individual history, ask questions, and make the decision that is right for you," the statement concluded."

I would like to know the purpose of this task force if "they do not set federal policy and they don't determine what services are covered by the federal government."

Why are we paying for this group, which probably changes with each administration anyway?

11-18-2009, 11:34 PM	#5
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	Re: Kathleen Sebelius made an Important Statement Dear Margie - Thanks for the posts regarding the link between this "independent panel" and the top of government. Seems that Rich66 was just suggesting that there were getting to be a lot of threads on this topic of the task force recommendations. Not that you are scattered. We live in some uncertain times, and those of us with breast cancer have double the uncertainty. Not fair. I found Sebelius' statement: "On Wednesday, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius issued the following statement on the new screening recommendations: "There is no question that the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations have caused a great deal of confusion and worry among women and their families across this country. I want to address that confusion head on. The U.S. Preventive Task Force is an outside independent panel of doctors and scientists who make recommendations. They do not set federal policy and they don't determine what services are covered by the federal government." "There has been debate in this country for years about the age at which routine screening mammograms should begin, and how often they should be given. The Task Force has presented some new evidence for consideration but our policies remain unchanged. Indeed, I would be very surprised if any private insurance company changed its mammography coverage decisions as a result of this action." "What is clear is that there is a great need for more evidence, more research and more scientific innovation to help women prevent, detect and fight breast cancer, the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women." "My message to women is simple. Mammograms have always been an important lifesaving tool in the fight against breast cancer and they still are today. Keep doing what you have been doing for years -- talk to your doctor about your individual history, ask questions, and make the decision that is right for you," the statement concluded." I would like to know the purpose of this task force if "they do not set federal policy and they don't determine what services are covered by the federal government." Why are we paying for this group, which probably changes with each administration anyway? __________________ "When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau Live in the moment. MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~ Found suspicious lump 9/2000 Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR - Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds 36 rads - very little burning 3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED! 2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18 All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?) 2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava 2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec. Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011 STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer 7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED 2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED. Same news for 2016 and all of 2017. Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.