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.

NCHR Written Comment on why the Department of Education’s Proposal to Reduce Graduate Student Loans for Nurses and Therapists would worsen shortages in access to health care

March 2, 2026: In response to a request for written comments, NCHR warned the U.S. Department of Education warning that its proposed graduate student loan limits would worsen the shortages of nurses, clinical psychologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and clinical social workers. Higher loan levels are needed to reverse national workforce shortages and provide essential healthcare, especially in rural, underserved, and less populated areas of the U.S.

NCHR Written Comment on Exempting AI and Computer-Assisted Medical Devices from FDA Regulation and Safeguards

February 27, 2026: In response to a request for written comments, NCHR told the FDA why we oppose exemptions from 510(k) premarket review for computer-aided radiology devices. NCHR warns that these tools can influence diagnosis and triage decisions and should undergo rigorous evaluation to ensure safety, effectiveness, and equitable performance in real-world clinical settings.

NCHR Written Public Comment to Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Research, Care, and Services

NCHR Written Comment to HHS Alzheimer’s Advisory Council, Feb 11, 2026: NCHR urges HHS Alzheimer’s Advisory Council to urge HHS to improve analysis and public access to registry data on Leqembi and Kisunla. study the risks of Rexulti for dementia patients, and better restrict the unsafe and inappropriate use of atypical antipsychotics for dementia patients.

NCHR Written Comment to FDA on Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Men

February 9, 2026 NCHR Written Comment to FDA: Testosterone hormone therapy (TRT) for men is widely promoted to men as a treatment for fatigue, weight gain, mood changes, and declining vitality. However, evidence from well-designed clinical trials shows limited benefits and raises important safety concerns. Testosterone is not a proven treatment for normal aging, and long-term risks remain insufficiently studied. Larger, long-term research is needed before FDA makes decisions about changing indication, labeling and warnings, because rigorous scientific evidence is more important than marketing claims or anecdotal experience. This is also true regarding testosterone for women.

Testimony of Dr. Akashleena Mallick at the FDA TPSAC Meeting on ZYN Nicotine Pouch Products Submitted by Swedish Match U.S.A, Inc.

January 22, 2026 NCHR Comment to FDA: Dr. Akashleena Mallek told FDA we disagree that ZYN nicotine pouches are less dangerous than smoking. ZYN has never been tested in long-term studies to determine its impact on cancer, heart disease, and other serious diseases. It is especially harmful because it is marketed to children and teen non-smokers, creating an epidemic of nicotine addiction similar to the vaping epidemic among children a few years ago.