Johns Hopkins Suspends Black Lung X-Ray Program As Senators Press For Investigation

[hatrack]

EDIT

Meanwhile, government and union officials kept the pressure on Johns Hopkins Medicine, which announced Friday it was suspending its program of reading X-rays for black lung, pending a review, in response to the Center-ABC investigation. Doctors in a unit at Johns Hopkins Hospital have amassed a long record of reading coal miners' X-rays as negative for severe black lung, the Center-ABC probe found.

The leader of the unit, Dr. Paul Wheeler, has been involved in more than 1,500 cases decided since 2000 but never found the severe form of black lung that automatically triggers benefits. Wheeler has defended his work, saying he is following standard medical practice.

The government agency that certifies doctors to read X-rays for black lung issued a statement Monday saying it was “deeply disturbed” by the findings of the Center-ABC investigation. The agency, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), said efforts to address the problems raised in the reports should emphasize “accuracy and mainstream views and minimize the impact of outlying views.” “In light of the recent troubling reports, NIOSH applauds the decision of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine to investigate its [black lung X-ray reading] service and offers whatever assistance we can provide,” the agency wrote.

EDIT

Before the news reports, Johns Hopkins defended the unit's X-ray readings in black lung cases; it has since said it takes "very seriously the questions raised" in the reports, suspending the program pending a review.

Ed. - emphasis added.

EDIT

http://www.publicintegrity.org/2013/11/05/13685/senators-push-reform-black-lung-program-failed-sick-miners

[Fumesucker]

1. Follow.The.Money n/t

[CanSocDem]

2. More evidence...

...of the real purpose of medical science.

"The black lung benefits program was set up in the late 1960s to recognize the unique health risks faced by coal workers. It was supposed to provide financial support if a miner became too sick to work. But in recent years, after coal companies have appealed awards to miners, fewer than 10 percent of applicants have been granted benefits."



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