On Health Policy Archives

Letter from NCHR about Dangerous Playgrounds and Athletic Fields to the Mayor and City Council of Washington, DC

August 28 2017: The National Center for Health Research (NCHR) is calling on D.C. leaders to halt the use of artificial turf and rubber playground surfaces. They highlight dangers such as lead exposure, excessive heat, and increased injury risks, emphasizing the need for safer, natural alternatives to protect children’s health.

NCHR Comment on the USPSTF’s Draft Recommendations for Ovarian Cancer Screening

August 10, 2017. We strongly support the USPSTF’s draft recommendation to maintain the “D” grade for ovarian cancer screening, as well as their broader efforts to improve the health of all Americans by making evidence-based recommendations about clinical preventive services. As more high-quality research becomes available, we encourage the provision of additional recommendations about the benefits and harms of using new screening strategies in asymptomatic women who are not known to be at increased risk for ovarian cancer.

NCHR Letter to CMS on Arbitration Agreement in Long-Term Care Facilities

August 7, 2017. CMS should continue to enforce the existing requirement rather than changing it to forced arbitration.

Nonprofit Groups’ Letter to Commissioner Gottlieb on Menu Labeling

August 2, 2017. The FDA should maintain the current menu labeling requirements that allow Americans to easily access nutritional information about the food they purchase. Two thirds of adults and one third of children are overweight or obese and displaying nutrition information can help them make informed decisions.

Patient, Consumer, and Public Health Coalition Letter to Senators Opposing the “Right to Try” Law

July 31, 2017. Sen. Johnson’s proposal would remove FDA from the process, allow companies to charge whatever they want, not allow FDA to consider any harm that the experimental drug causes when used under the Right To Try auspices, and thus eliminate the safeguards and monitoring that otherwise are done to determine whether the patient has been helped or harmed by the experimental drug.