December 5, 2017. We strongly suggest the USPSTF provide a separate and clear “D” recommendation against screening in premenopausal women younger than 65. We strongly recommend that the USPSTF not finalize its recommendations until further information is made available regarding the direct benefits and harms of screening as noted above. In addition, we strongly urge that the evidence supports that the harms of drug therapies are “moderate” or “moderate to severe” and these risks be compared to the lack of evidence that these drugs reduce hip fractures, rather than concluding that the benefits are substantial and the risks are “no greater than small.” Last, we urge that USPSTF examine the benefits and harms of non-drug therapies as part of its screening recommendations.
Read More »We’re Speaking Out on Health Issues
NCHR scientists and health policy experts provide written and oral statements on a wide range of topics.
Here are many of the ways we have been Speaking Out on Health Policy Issues for the last few years. Whether the topic is legislation intended to cure diseases, proposed bans on BPA or other chemicals that disrupt your hormones, the importance of including women, people of color, and patients over 65 in clinical trials, or many other topics, you’ll gain a better understanding of our evidence-based analyses by reading these letters, statements, and testimony.
Here are the ways we have been Speaking out on Medical Treatments and Products, such as prescription drugs and medical devices that the FDA is considering approving, or is considering taking off the market because of serious risks. Whether the topic is Chantix, Addyi, Yaz, Essure, or medical products you’ve never heard of, you can find out more about what is known and not known about the safety and effectiveness of a wide range of products by looking through this section of our website.
Here are our Statements and Positions on issues that affect you.
NCHR Comments to CMS on 2019 Proposed Changes to Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
November 22, 2017. We urge CMS to focus on strategies which address the health needs of all Americans and provide opportunities for more access to quality care. We are particularly concerned that changes to the Navigator program would reduce enrollment in ways that could be detrimental to the health of many Americans.
Read More »NCHR Testimony at the FDA about Ciprofloxacin Dry Powder Inhaler (DPI) for Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis
November 16, 2017. We do not know enough to approve this drug for people who really need it, and we respectfully urge you to consider the inadequacy of the current data. We recommend further study of this drug with clinically meaningful primary endpoints, such as severity of exacerbation, overall lung function, and patient-reported outcomes to directly assess patients’ symptoms such as cough, wheezing, and sputum production. We also recommend comparing the drug to a non-powder to ensure that the method of use does not worsen symptoms and including more patients 75 and older.
Read More »NCHR Comments on the USPSTF’s Evidence Review and Draft Recommendation Statement for Behavioral Counseling for Skin Cancer Prevention
November 6, 2017. We support USPSTF’s draft recommendations for behavioral counseling interventions to prevent skin cancer as well as their broader efforts to improve the health of all Americans by making evidence-based recommendations about clinical preventive services. As more information becomes available, we encourage the provision of additional recommendations about more specific behavioral interventions to prevent skin cancer for individuals in various subgroups.
Read More »Are “Gummy Bear” Breast Implants the Safer Implants?
Nova Science Publishers, 2017. Thinking about breast implants? Our new book chapter tells you what you need to know.
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