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.

Letter to Ramaswamy at USDA NIFA on Funding for Research on Antibiotic Resistance

December 15, 2017. We ask that NIFA continue to support research into antibiotic resistance at least at the current levels and specifically include antibiotic resistance among the areas to be funded as part of the AFRI requests for applications for FY2018.

NCHR testimony at FDA about Clinical Trial Criteria for Interstitial Cystitis and Bladder Pain Syndrome

December 7, 2017. There is a need for new treatment options for interstitial cystitis and bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). These conditions have a range of causes and symptoms, and symptoms can be very similar to other conditions. This variation adds complexity to testing new treatments. To meet the needs of patients, the FDA must hold the sponsors’ clinical trials to a high standard that ensures safe and effective treatments.

NCHR Comments to HHS on Religious Exemptions and Contraceptives

December 5, 2017. We strongly oppose the IFR’s use of religious objections to undermine essential health care for millions of women in our country. The HHS must ensure the health of all our citizens by implementing policies based on sound medical and public health science. We urge that HHS bring evidenced-based practice into the forefront of health policies, as it has for decades.

NCHR Comments on the USPSTF Draft Recommendations for Osteoporosis Screening

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.

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.