California's plan to curb mammograms for lower income women sparks protests

[kpete]

California's plan to curb mammograms for lower income women sparks protests

By Jim Sanders | The Sacramento Bee

Many of California's lowest-income women in their 40s no longer will be eligible for free breast cancer screenings by the state beginning New Year's Day.

The decision by state health officials has stirred a hornet's nest of opposition from lawmakers and others who argue that early detection saves lives.

A letter signed by 21 members of California's congressional delegation expressed deep concern and urged rescission of the policy affecting tens of thousands of women.

"It is penny-unwise and pound foolish," says the letter, which was released at a state Capitol news conference Tuesday.

more:
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/80718.html

[Bitwit1234]

1. Compare the cost of a mammagram to

what it would cost the state( and that's because the person didn't have insurance and they would have to pick up some of the cost). Would't it be cheaper to pay for the mammagram.

[Berry Cool]

2. What it would cost the state to do what?

For the record, I think it's wrong for California to do this, but at the same time we really need to divest ourselves of the notion that "early detection" always "saves lives."

Mammograms find things that never would endanger a woman's life in the first place, but which she then feels the need to treat. They also find things that will kill, no matter how early they are detected. Sad but true.