On Wednesday, a group of women GOP lawmakers held a press conference to denounce a new recommendation by the federal Preventive Services Task Force that women receive mammograms less frequently. “This is how rationing begins,” said Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN). “This is the little toe in the edge of the water.”
[snip]
As the Washington Independent’s Mike Lillis notes, the concern of the congresswomen about rationed mammograms is especially ironic considering that they oppose legislation that “would require insurance companies that cover diagnostic mammograms also to cover routine, annual breast cancer screenings for all women 40 and older.”
Lessee. Hypocrisy, check. Ridiculous fearmongering, check. Failure to comprehend simple words like "recommendation," check. Pure Con dumbfuckery.
But if you're tempted to fall for a Con, or if you're just confused over what's best for your health, or if you want to see a breast cancer researcher take down the bullshit in stunning detail, you can head on over to Orac's Repectful Insolence blog and read the following:
"Obama's fixin' death panels for your mama," the misogyny gambit, and other idiotic responses to the updated USPSTF mammography recommendations
"Obama's fixin' death panels for your mama": The USPSTF recommendations for mammography used as a political weapon
A two-part takedown that is truly Oracian in scope and insolence. And if you still want more, there's always really rethinking breast cancer screening.Funny how Con talking points and fearmongering just don't have the same impact when you're armed with the facts, innit?
A retired doctor wrote a blog post in one of our local papers out here, trying to explain what the findings meant. Unfortunately, people like him and Orac are being drowned out by the screamers.
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