VA Watchdog Stuff
cups, hats, shirts
click here to
support the site





Be sure to get all five
VA Watchdog dot Org
RSS feeds --
Daily VA
News Flashes
House CVA
Veterans' News
Senate CVA
Veterans' News
VA Press
Releases
VSO Press
Releases

Download your
free copy of the
2007 VA benefits
handbook here...

Printer-Friendly Version

CONGRESSMAN QUESTIONS VA POLICY ON HOLDING

BACK CANCER STATISTICS -- "It is crucial that the

cancer community have access to this data so

that their reports are as accurate as possible."

For background stories on this issue, click here...
http://www.vawatchdog.org/07/nf07/nfOCT07/nf101107-3.htm

Story here... http://www.empirestatenews.net/News/20080222-4.html

Story below: 

-------------------------

Higgins questions VA policy on holding back cancer stats

WASHINGTON - Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) pointed to an American Cancer Society report on rising U.S. cancer deaths as further evidence of the need to support the data collection efforts of the American Cancer Society, Centers for Disease Control, the National Cancer Institute, the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries, state health departments, and others in their continual quest to improve the quality of cancer research and care.

The Congressman has called on the Department of Veterans Affairs to allow the cancer community fair and adequate access to cancer data from patients of veterans hospitals. Such information is crucial to our country’s continued fight against cancer.

“The information released this week by the American Cancer Society regarding U.S. cancer deaths is extremely valuable in helping federal and state governments determine where resources should be allocated to fight cancer. It is crucial that the cancer community have access to this data so that their reports are as accurate as possible.” Higgins said.

After learning that an August 2007 Department of Veterans Affairs directive severely restricted the ability of the cancer community to collect cancer data from veterans hospitals, Congressman Higgins became concerned about the negative impact this data being withheld would have on cancer research.

Under state law, hospitals are required to submit the incidence of cancer among their patient population.

However, no such requirement exists for Veterans Affairs hospitals.

The Congressman contacted Veterans Affairs Secretary James Peake asking that the VA find a way for this crucial data needed by the cancer community be released as soon as possible.

-------------------------

posted by Larry Scott
Founder and Editor
VA Watchdog dot Org

Don't forget to read all of today's VA News Flashes (click here)

Click here to make VA Watchdog dot Org your homepage

email Larry

(go back to VA Watchdog dot Org Home Page)

       
Military Medical Malpractice 
Legal Network               

VA Watchdog Stuff
cups, hats, shirts
click here to
support the site