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Two congressional committees have scheduled hearings to address the controversy over mammography guidelines issued last week by a federal task force.

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health will both examine a recommendation by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) that would end routine mammograms for women in their 40s.

The guidelines have sparked an emotional debate among breast cancer survivors, patients, doctors, and politicians over what sway a federal task force should have in dictating national health policy. The release of the mammogram guidelines coincides with Congress' attempt to overhaul the U.S. health system and slow the growth rate of its enormous cost.

Those who disagree with the revised guidelines call them evidence that healthcare reform would give government entities increasing influence over the medical treatments patients receive. (See mammography guidelines intensify healthcare reform debate)

Twenty-two senators from both sides of the aisle signed a letter sent to Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Mike Enzi (R-Wyo) -- the chairman and ranking member of the HELP Committee -- asking them to plan a hearing to discuss the recommendations, which they say have been "widely criticized by both patients and doctors alike."

"The American people are seeking answers from their representatives in Washington and want to know if the commission's startling findings will put more patients at risk for this deadly disease," the letter said. The American College of Radiology will request to testify in support of continuing to advise that women ages 40 and over receive annual mammograms.

"The ACR is urging HELP Committee members that a representative from the College be allowed to testify at the hearing regarding the scientific shortcomings of the new recommendations and their devastating effect on cancer care in the United States," said a statement on the ACR's Web site.

The House hearing will take place on Dec. 2 at 9 a.m. No date is set yet for the Senate hearing.

Source: medpage Today

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