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New Mammogram Guidelines (33 responses)
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NEW MAMMOGRAM GUIDELINES
According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a government panel ofdoctors and scientists, most women don't need mammograms in their 40s andshould only get them every two years starting at 50 -- a reversal of theAmerican Cancer Society's long-standing position that women should get annualmammograms beginning at age 40. The panel also said breast self-exams do nogood, and women shouldn't be taught to do them. Following are experts who cancomment on the report and its impact:
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**1. SAMI BEG, M.D., MPA, MPH, associate medical director of U.S. PREVENTIVEMEDICINE and noted speaker on prevention and public health: "The U.S.Preventive Services Task Force decision looks at screening from a publichealth perspective. However, women and their doctors need to decide what isappropriate on an individual level. Women should talk to their doctors todecide the appropriate screening based on individual family histories andother risks, as well as personal circumstances, including anxiety from notbeing screened." The document "U.S. Preventive Medicine Position on NewMammogram Guidelines from U.S. Preventive Services Task Force" is availablefor review. He is located in Jacksonville, Fla. News Contact: Denise Bauwens,[email protected] Phone: +1-610-891-7560 (11/18/09)
**2. DEB WEINTRAUB, director of mission programs, the Los Angeles affiliatefor SUSAN G. KOMEN FOR THE CURE: "Susan G. Komen for the Cure wants toeliminate any impediments to regular mammography screening for women age 40and older. While there is no question that mammograms save lives for womenover 50 and women 40-49, there is enough uncertainty about the age at whichmammography should begin and the frequency of screening that we would not wantto see a change in policy for screening mammography at this time. One-third ofthe women who qualify for screening under today's guidelines are not beingscreened due to lack of access, education or awareness. That issue needs focusand attention: If we can make progress with screening in vulnerablepopulations, we could make more progress in the fight against breast cancer."News Contact: Lily De Smedt, [email protected] Phone: +1-310-689-7586 Website: http://www.komenlacounty.org (11/18/09)
**3. CAROL H. LEE, M.D., chair of the AMERICAN COLLEGE OF RADIOLOGY BreastImaging Commission, is at SLOAN-KETTERING in New York City: "These unfoundedUSPSTF recommendations ignore the valid scientific data and place a great manywomen at risk of dying unnecessarily from a disease that we have madesignificant headway against over the past 20 years. Mammography is not aperfect test, but it has unquestionably been shown to save lives -- includingin women aged 40-49. These new recommendations seem to reflect a consciousdecision to ration care. If Medicare and private insurers adopt theseincredibly flawed USPSTF recommendations as a rationale for refusing womencoverage of these life-saving exams, it could have deadly effects for Americanwomen. The USPSTF claims that the 'harms' of mammography, including discomfortof the exam, anxiety over positive results, and possibility of overtreatment,because medical science cannot distinguish which cancers will become deadlymost quickly, outweigh the greatly decreased number of deaths each yearresulting from breast cancer screening. Without doubt, the possibility ofhaving one's life saved through early detection far outweighs any of theseconcerns. Their premise is tragically incorrect and will result in manyneedless deaths if their recommendations are adopted by the American public."News Contact: Shawn Farley, [email protected] Phone: +1-703-648-8936(11/18/09)
**4. W. PHIL EVANS, M.D., FACR, president of the SOCIETY OF BREAST IMAGING(SBI), is at UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER in Dallas: "The USPSTFrecommendations are a step backward and represent a significant harm towomen's health. To tell women they should not get regular mammograms startingat 40, when this approach has overwhelmingly been shown to save lives, isshocking. At least 40 percent of the patient life years saved by mammographicscreening are of women aged 40-49. These recommendations are inconsistent withcurrent science and apparently have been developed in an attempt to reducecosts. Unfortunately, many women may pay for this unsound approach with theirlives." News Contact: Shawn Farley, [email protected] Phone: +1-703-648-8936 (11/18/09)
**5. RACHEL BREM, M.D., director of breast imaging and professor ofradiology, THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL: "For the past 20 years,the death rate from breast cancer has declined by 30 percent, more in youngerwomen, and is due largely to the increased use of mammography. The UnitedStates Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) chose to ignore modern,compelling clinical trials that demonstrated a 40 percent reduction in breastcancer deaths and, rather, based their flawed recommendations on old data andmathematical models. Their recommendations also contradict the biology ofbreast cancer, which is more aggressive and faster growing in younger women.Comparing women 40 to 49 with a much wider age group, i.e., 50 to 74, isunscientific and pure data manipulation. These age groups deserve the benefitsof mammography, and denying that would amount to nothing less than reversingthe reduction in breast cancer mortality we have achieved in the past 20years." Brem is located in Washington, D.C. News Contact: Heather B. Oldham,[email protected] Phone: +1-202-715-4447 (11/18/09)
**6. DAWN LEONARD, M.D., breast surgeon and medical director of NORTHWESTHOSPITAL's Herman & Walter Samuelson Breast Care Center in Randallstown, Md.:"Current standards, as outlined by organizations such as the American CancerSociety and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, should still befollowed. Annual mammograms, in conjunction with annual clinical breastexaminations, should begin for women starting at age 40 -- and perhaps evenearlier, if a woman has a strong family history of breast cancer. Practiceguidelines that postpone mammographic screening and eradicate self- andclinical examinations will have detrimental impacts on early diagnosis andcancer survival. The medical community and the advocacy community have workedtirelessly since the '70s to empower women to be more aware of their breasthealth needs and to make choices that improve breast cancer survival. Therecent USPSTF recommendations appear to be a step in the wrong direction."News Contact: Holly Hosler, [email protected] Phone: +1-410-601-8678 (11/18/09)
**7. HAYTHEM ALI, M.D., senior staff oncologist, specializing in breastcancer, at HENRY FORD HOSPITAL in Detroit: "I don't think these guidelines aregoing to change our recommendations for what women can do to detect cancer.The task force is actually describing the limits of current screeningtechnology. So maybe our efforts should now concentrate more on finding causesfor cancer and concentrate on other forms of prevention. In the USPSTF'sopinion, the benefits do not outweigh the risks in women age 40-49. On theother hand, this risk-benefit balance may change for each individual patient.Therefore, patients with a higher than average risk, such as those with familyhistory, should be given the option of screening -- and that is in theguidelines." News Contact: Krista Hopson, [email protected] Phone: +1-313-874-7207 (11/18/09)
**8. DR. LAWRENCE BASSETT, director, Iris Canter Center for Breast Imaging atUCLA'S JONSSON COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER: "Since 1990, breast cancer deathsin the United States have decreased by 30 percent, primarily due to screeningmammography. The United States Preventive Services Task Force considered onlyold data in its analysis and ignored newer data that comes from a study inSweden, which shows a decrease in death rates by 40 percent with mammography.I think that they're taking a real risk for patients, probably to decreasecosts, and they are overly concerned about anxiety from recalls, ultrasoundand needle biopsy procedures. People understand that mammography is not aperfect test, but they want to maximize their opportunity at finding thecancer earlier. Studies show cancers are smaller and found at an earlier stagewhen screening is annual. Would you rather give a cancer two years to growbefore finding it, or would you rather have it grow for only one year?"Bassett is located in Los Angeles. News Contact: Kim Irwin,[email protected] Phone: +1-310-206-2805 (11/18/09)
**9. DR. JACK LYONS, medical staff president and chairman of the Departmentof Radiology, SAINT JOSEPH HOSPITAL in Chicago: "While imperfect, annualmammography and regular breast self-exams are opportunities to identify cancerbefore it becomes locally invasive or metastatic. This is particularlyimportant in younger women, between the ages of 40 and 50, in whom breastcancers are often more aggressive, and who have the most life to lose. Thereis abundant support in medical literature of statistical analysis over manyyears of the benefits of early detection of breast cancer that we can cite. Inmy 10 years of active practice as a radiologist, I have personally diagnosedinnumerable cases of breast cancer, including many in this age group. Many ofthe cases I have seen have been brought to medical attention by the patientsthemselves. I will continue to encourage my family members, friends andpatients to continue breast self-examination and screening mammography. To dootherwise would be irresponsible." Lyons is fluent in German. News Contact:Susan White, [email protected] Phone: +1-773-665-3445 Web site:http://tinyurl.com/ygb2wmo (11/18/09)
**10. DR. JENNIFER KAM, SOUTHTOWNS RADIOLOGY, a leader in diagnostic imagingin western New York, is board certified in radiology and can provideadditional expertise in pelvic MR, ultrasound and breast imaging: "AmericanCancer Society guidelines recommend annual screening at the age of 40 becauseit saves lives, not to mention that earlier intervention and detection allowsfor more options in treatment, including breast conservation. The number ofcancers we are seeing at an early age is alarming, and although saving one in1,900 lives may be trivialized by the government panel, I would say that eachof the women, sisters, mothers and daughters who are with us today because ofearly detection would challenge that supposition." News Contact: Brittany J.Frey, [email protected] Phone: +1-716-842-2222, ext. 378 (11/18/09)
**11. JOHN D. CUNNINGHAM, M.D., surgical oncology, SUMMIT MEDICAL GROUP,Berkeley Heights, N.J.: "We are against the new mammography recommendations bythe USPSTF, as we believe the recommendations represent a step backward in theearly detection and treatment of breast cancer. In women age 40-49, theroutine use of annual mammography has been shown to increase the rate ofdetection of early breast cancer and has been shown to decrease the mortalityrate in this group. Furthermore, breast self-exams by women are also effectivein early detection of changes in breast tissue. A woman can do a self-exam andif she feels that there is something different in her breast(s), she can seeher physician and be screened." Cunningham is available to speak on breasthealth, early detection and treatment of breast cancer, mammograms, andsurgical oncology. News Contact: Maureen Bennett, [email protected] Phone:+1-908-277-8834 (11/18/09)
**12. DAVIDE BOVA, M.D., medical director, Diagnostic Imaging, LOYOLAUNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER: "The controversy illustrates the need for screeningthat is tailored to each woman's specific risk factors. A 39-year-old womanwith a strong family history may need more extensive screening than a 50-year-old woman with no known risk factors. We're dealing with imperfect tools. Thismay push people to analyze a little more carefully what their risks are." Bovais fluent in Italian and Spanish, and is located in Maywood, Ill., a suburb ofChicago. News Contact: Jim Ritter, [email protected] Phone: +1-708-216-2445(11/18/09)
**13. DR. KERRI DIAS, radiologist and associate director of ST. JOHN'S MERCYBREAST CENTER in St. Louis: "Currently, the best way to detect early breastcancer is through annual mammography. The benefits of annual mammography havebeen extensively studied for more than 40 years, proving the effectiveness ofannual mammography in reducing breast cancer mortality, both worldwide and inthe United States. While mammography is not a perfect tool, it does detect thevast majority of breast cancers." News Contact: Bethany Pope,[email protected] Phone: +1-314-364-4258 (11/18/09)
**14. NANCY SHARTS-HOPKO, Ph.D., RN, doctoral program professor at VILLANOVAUNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF NURSING, is an expert in maternal-infant and women'shealth: "I understand the disquiet that individuals may experience by thechange in recommendations. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, anagency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the parent ofthe U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, has the advantage of being able toaccess very large data sets over time to evaluate cost-effectiveness ofvarious tests and interventions." Sharts-Hopko has published research onwomen's health perceptions during various health and life transitions. NewsContact: Sarah Christy, [email protected] Phone: +1-610-519-7357 Website: http://tinyurl.com/yle3gf6 (11/18/09)
**15. BETSY ANGELAKIS, M.D., chief of breast imaging at LAHEY CLINIC MEDICALCENTER in Burlington, Mass., and assistant professor at TUFTS UNIVERSITY'sSchool of Medicine: "Since the advent of mammogram screening some 20 yearsago, we have been winning the battle against breast cancer. However,decreasing the frequency or delaying the starting point for screening from 40to 50 years of age would have dire consequences. The lives of many youngerpatients would be lost because we would miss the very cancer types that tendto be the most aggressive and most deadly." News Contact: Steve Danehy,[email protected] Phone: +1-781-744-5440 Web site: http://www.lahey.org(11/18/09)
**16. DR. MARK CONNOLLY, chairman of the Department of Surgery, SurgicalOncology, SAINT JOSEPH HOSPITAL in Chicago: "Women not reporting any newchanges or symptoms that are significant have historically led to breastcancer diagnosis in approximately 20 percent of my patients. Seventy percentof women have no known risk, so regular monitoring, especially at a youngerage, is particularly important. There are several studies that prove theeffectiveness of mammograms in women." News Contact: Susan White,[email protected] Phone: +1-773-665-3445 Web site:http://tinyurl.com/yj5t55c (11/18/09)
**17. JAMES H. THRALL, M.D., FACR, is chair of the AMERICAN COLLEGE OFRADIOLOGY's Board of Chancellors, and chair of radiology at MASSACHUSETTSGENERAL HOSPITAL in Boston: "I am deeply concerned about the actions of theUSPSTF in severely limiting screening for breast cancer. Theserecommendations, in combination with recent CMS imaging cuts, jeopardizeaccess to both long-proven and cutting-edge diagnostic imaging technologies.Government policy makers need to consider the consequences of such decisions.I can't help but think that we are moving toward a new health care rationingpolicy that will turn back the clock on medicine for decades and needlesslyreverse advances in cancer detection that have saved countless lives." NewsContact: Shawn Farley, [email protected] Phone: +1-703-648-8936 (11/18/09)
**18. DR. THOMAS SAMUEL is an oncologist, and medical director of theMCGHEALTH BREAST CANCER CLINIC. He is also an oncology researcher andassistant professor at the MEDICAL COLLEGE OF GEORGIA in Augusta, Ga.:"Despite the USPSTF recommendations to delay mammograms until age 50 and notdo self-exams, MCGHealth Medical Center will continue with current guidelines:Teach self-exams for home; and begin mammograms at age 40 and repeat annually.MCG is in agreement with the American Cancer Society, the AMA and the NationalComprehensive Cancer Network guidelines." Samuel is fluent in Malayalam. NewsContact: Denise Parrish, [email protected] Phone: +1-706-721-9566 (11/18/09)
**19. CHARLES C. CAMOSY, assistant professor of Christian ethics at FORDHAMUNIVERSITY in New York: "Women who follow the task force's recommendation get82 percent of the value for only 50 percent of the cost, making it cost-effective to screen biennially, rather than annually. The American CancerSociety and other interest groups don't agree with this because they don'tlook at this aspect of health care as part of the bigger picture." Camosyholds many provocative opinions about issues such as these, and argues that amoral case can be made for the rationing of health care. News Contact: SydSteinhardt, [email protected] Phone: +1-212-636-6534 (11/18/09)
**20. BIREN SHAH, M.D., senior staff radiologist, specializing inmammography, at HENRY FORD HOSPITAL in Detroit: "At Henry Ford Health System,about 25 percent of patients diagnosed with breast cancer are younger than 50.It is the patient and her physician that should decide what is in the bestinterests of her care." News Contact: Krista Hopson, [email protected] Phone:+1-313-874-7207 (11/18/09)
**21. EDWARD DONAHUE, M.D., medical director and breast cancer specialist ofthe Comprehensive Cancer Center at ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL CENTER inPhoenix: "Women should continue to have their annual mammograms, beginning at40 years of age, and should be encouraged to do breast self-exams." NewsContact: Carmelle Malkovich, [email protected] Phone: +1-602-406-3319(11/18/09)
**22. RITA FREIMANIS, M.D., associate professor of radiology, section headfor breast imaging, WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C.: "There have been many, many studies that show the benefits ofearly screening." News Contacts: Jessica Guenzel, [email protected] Phone:+1-336-716-3487, Jonnie Rohrer, [email protected] Phone: +1-336-716-6972, andBonnie Davis, [email protected] Phone: +1-336-716-4977 (11/18/09)
**23. NEIL B. FRIEDMAN, M.D., F.A.C.S., medical director with The HoffbergerBreast Center at MERCY MEDICAL CENTER in Baltimore, is board certified by theAmerican Board of Surgery, and a graduate of the University of Maryland Schoolof Medicine. He is on the active staff in the Department of Surgery andOncology at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, as well as an instructor in surgeryand oncology with the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Friedman is adiplomate of the American Board of Surgery and a Fellow of the AmericanCollege of Surgeons. He is also a member of the Baltimore City Medical Societyand the Maryland chapter of Med-Chi. Friedman has an extensive knowledge inthe field of oncology, and has published papers examining treatment for breastcancer, as well as anal/rectal tumors, Hodgkin's Disease and lung cancer. Hehas been involved in clinical research for breast cancer treatment anddiagnosis, including clinical trials for sentinel lymph node biopsy and totest the efficacy of raloxifene vs. tamoxifen in treating/preventing breastcancer. Friedman has been an outspoken proponent of annual mammograms forwomen ages 40-49. In 2006, he was named the national spokesperson for Bath &Bodyworks' "In Touch" Breast Self-Exam Glove, a unique breast self-exam tooldesigned to educate women on how to perform self-exams while facilitatingtheir ability to do so. Friedman's interview on WBAL-TV11's "Woman's Doctor"can be accessed at the second link listed below. News Contacts: MartaMarkline, [email protected] Phone: +1-410-332-9336, and Dan Collins,[email protected] Phone: +1-410-332-9714 Cell: +1-410-375-7342 Web sites:http://www.mdmercy.com and http://tinyurl.com/yd4bgs3 (11/18/09)
**24. JEAN K. WARNER, M.D., is the director of The Tyanna O'Brien Center forWomen's Imaging at MERCY MEDICAL CENTER in Baltimore. Board certified, Warnerbrings extensive experience in women's imaging, including digital mammography,ultrasound and MRI. She also has experience in all imaging-guidedinterventional procedures, including MRI-guided biopsy, with amultidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and treatment of breast disease.Warner earned her medical degree from the Ohio State University College ofMedicine. She completed residencies in internal medicine and diagnosticradiology at the University of Maryland Medical System. While at theUniversity of Maryland, she served as co-director of The Breast Center, aswell as a consultant for breast imaging on "Ask the Expert," a programfeatured on the University's Web site. Warner also served as diagnosticradiologist, specializing in breast imaging, at the Anne Arundel MedicalBreast Center. Warner has a variety of clinical publications to her credit inthe field of breast imaging. Her professional affiliations include membershipin the American College of Radiology, American Roentgen Ray Society,Radiological Society of North America and Society of Breast Imaging. Warnerwas recently quoted in The Baltimore Sun regarding the mammogram controversy,which can be accessed at the second link listed below. News Contacts: PamWaller, [email protected] Phone: +1-410-332-9024, and Dan Collins,[email protected] Phone: +1-410-332-9714 Cell: +1-410-375-7342 Web site:http://www.mdmercy.com and http://tinyurl.com/yeop2gq (11/18/09)
**25. DR. MARGARET LEWIN, leading breast cancer and prevention expert in theU.S., is a medical director of CINERGY HEALTH and board-certified in internalmedicine, hematology and medical oncology. She is a Fellow of the AmericanCollege of Physicians and clinical assistant professor of medicine at WeillMedical College of Cornell University. She is affiliated with New York-Presbyterian Hospital and The Hospital for Special Surgery. Lewin has workedthroughout her career to improve the American healthcare system. She has beenon the boards of state and local medical societies and is immediate pastpresident of the New York County Medical Society and immediate past districtpresident of the American College of Physicians. Her decades-long volunteerwork has included service to many local projects and organizations, and hasbeen enriched by her medical missions to the Third World. Lewin has authorednumerous articles in leading medical journals and lay magazines, as well aschapters for medical textbooks. Her areas of special interest and expertiseinclude primary and preventive care, travel medicine, and men's and women'shealth. News Contact: Susan Rotante, [email protected] Phone: +1-212-584-4317(11/18/09)
**26. STANLEY E. WAINTRAUB, M.D., F.A.C.P., co-chief of the division ofbreast oncology, John Theurer Cancer Center, HACKENSACK UNIVERSITY MEDICALCENTER, and clinical assistant professor of medicine, UMDNJ-NEW JERSEY MEDICALSCHOOL, is available to discuss why he is strongly against this newrecommendation and supports the American Cancer Society's current guidelines.Waintraub has been working in the breast oncology field for more than 15years. He has published a number of research studies on treatments formetastatic breast cancer and other types of cancer in leading journals, suchas The Journal of Clinical Oncology and Blood. He is also a leading expert inthe diagnosis and treatment of gestational thrombophilia, a serious bloodclotting disorder that can result in fetal death, stillbirth, pre-term birth,or low birth weight. He is located in Hackensack, N.J. News Contact: AmyLeahing, [email protected] Phone: +1-646-213-7245 (11/18/09)
**27. STEPHANIE F. BERNIK, M.D., FACS, is chief of breast surgery for thecomprehensive breast program at ST. VINCENT'S COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER(SVCCC) in New York City. Bernik specializes in treating young women under 40diagnosed with breast cancer. She is a principal investigator for breastdisease research at St. Vincent's, and has presented her research at symposiaacross the country. Bernik graduated from Yale University School of Medicineand completed her internship and residency at St. Vincent's HospitalManhattan. News Contact: Mary Mooney, [email protected] Phone: +1-212-604-2675 (11/18/09)
**28. DR. ABRAHAM PORT is director of breast imaging at the Complete Women'sImaging Center, SOUTH NASSAU COMMUNITIES HOSPITAL. Port previously served asdirector of women's imaging, ultrasound and breast interventional proceduresat a prominent radiology practice for more than five years. He also served asdirector of breast imaging and assistant professor of radiology at Mount SinaiMedical Center in New York, and has served as director of radiology at MountKisco Medical Group in New York. Port has been an adjunct lecturer at the CityCollege of New York. Port oversees and directs a state-of-the-art facilitywith a variety of services that focus on breast health and women's healthimaging. He is located in Oceanside, N.Y., and is fluent in Hebrew. NewsContact: Damian Becker, [email protected] Phone: +1-516-377-5370 (11/18/09)
**29. DR. CHRISTINE HODYL is director of breast health services at SOUTHNASSAU COMMUNITIES HOSPITAL. She completed a residency in surgery atMaimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., and a research fellowship atMemorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. In 2006, Hodyl completed additionaltraining in breast ultrasound, oncoplastic surgery and laparoscopic inguinalhernia repair. Hodyl has had numerous research published, including, "TheEffect of Hepatic Cryosurgery on Tumor Growth of the Liver" and "Pretreatmentwith IFN Decreases Infectious Complications After Partial Hepatectomy." She isa member of the American College of Surgeons and the American OsteopathicAssociation. Hodyl is located in Oceanside, N.Y. News Contact: Damian Becker,[email protected] Phone: +1-516-377-5370 (11/18/09)
**30. Following are experts from MOFFITT CANCER CENTER, Florida's only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center, located in Tampa, Fla.:
-- DR. CHRISTINE LARONGA is the program leader of the Don and Erika WallaceComprehensive Breast Program. The program at the center will not be changingits screening guidelines and recommendations at this current time. As a centerthat provides high-volume screening and diagnostic breast services to thecommunity, the goal is prevention and early detection of breast cancer.
-- DR. THOMAS SELLERS is the executive vice president and associate centerdirector of cancer prevention and control.
-- DR. RICHARD ROETZHEIM is the medical director of the Lifetime CancerScreening and Prevention Center.
-- DR. MARGARET SZABUNIO is an associate member in the diagnostic radiology,and ultrasound and breast imaging departments.
News Contact: Patty Kim, [email protected] Phone: +1-813-745-7322(11/18/09)
**1. LAW: CHALLENGE OF JACKSON ESTATE'S EXECUTOR SELECTION MAY BE TOO LATE.STEVE SPITZER, head of the probate litigation section at the Texas law firmCOWLES & THOMPSON: "Joe Jackson's attempt to have the administrators of hisson's will removed, due to conflicts of interest, is just the latest twist tothe tangled mess that has followed Michael Jackson's death. But the time tochallenge the selection of an administrator is before the court appointment.Prior to the executor being appointed, the claim that they are 'unsuitable'can be made successfully for any number of reasons, but afterwards, it is verydifficult to remove the executor. Under Texas probate code, for example, proofof gross misconduct is among the only reasons a change would be made. But ittypically still comes down to the wishes of the deceased. If they knew of theconflict, there are no grounds for removal." News Contact: Rhonda Reddick,[email protected] Phone: +1-800-559-4534 (11/18/09)
**2. LAW: NEW LAW LIMITS FAMILY MEDICAL HISTORY QUESTIONS. RUSSELL GULLY,attorney in the Dallas office of THOMPSON & KNIGHT: "Under a new federal law,effective Dec. 7, health insurers can no longer request information on anindividual's family medical history as part of the enrollment process. TheGenetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, or GINA, imposes a host of newrestrictions on the use of health risk assessments commonly used by insurancecompanies to underwrite group plans and target particular conditions. The lawis quite broad in its definitions. When referring to family members, theregulations are not just referring to those covered by the plan, but a widerange of individuals who may not even be full-blood relatives. These riskassessments can be used after enrollment, but any financial incentive orpenalty to the employer or the individual is prohibited." News Contact: BarryPound, [email protected] Phone: +1-800-559-4534 (11/13/09)
**3. WORLD AFFAIRS: COMPANIES BEGIN TAPPING INTO CUBAN OIL RESERVES. SCOTTSCHWIND, attorney in the Houston office of THOMPSON & KNIGHT: "A growingnumber of non-U.S. energy companies are making significant investments inCuba, which may have more offshore oil and gas reserves than commonlybelieved. The Cuban government has already awarded production-sharingcontracts with foreign corporations representing more than $3 billion incapital investments, and more deals are likely. Some sources estimate thatCuban deep waters may hold as much as 20 billion barrels of recoverable, high-quality oil. Success in developing these resources will depend on Cuba'sability to manage a number of significant challenges, such as legal andeconomic restrictions, technological deficiencies, environmental concerns and,perhaps most of all, the current U.S. trade embargo." News Contact: BarryPound, [email protected] Phone: +1-800-559-4534 (11/18/09)
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