Submitted to the State Journal-Register
September 25, 2015
To the Editor:
Patients born between the years 1945-1965 should be screened
for hepatitis C. The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) say so, as does the U.S. Preventive Services Task
Force (USPSTF). Both of these public health entities have published clinical guidelines
identifying baby boomers as being most at risk for this blood condition that in
some cases leads to chronic liver disease and death.
Earlier this year, members of the General Assembly passed legislation
mandating physicians offer a hepatitis C
screening to all patients born during the high-risk years. The Illinois State
Medical Society believes that legislating any
medical guideline, of which there are more than 7,500, is inappropriate, because
guidelines evolve and change; what represents the state of the art today may
seem like ancient medicine in a few short years. Codifying treatments into law requires the
government to change the law when medical science advances. This approach is impractical and not in the
best interest of patients. Legislating guidelines inserts the law between
doctors and patients. It’s a step
towards stopping you and your doctor from deciding what is right for you.
As a result of our concern, ISMS opposed this bill, which
was vetoed by Governor Rauner. But rather than looking backward, ISMS intends to
move forward, and will continue our efforts promoting increased awareness and
use of the hepatitis C screening protocols. Our focus will continue to be what
it always has been: getting patients the medical care that best meets their
unique needs.
Sincerely,
Scott Cooper, MD
President, Illinois State Medical Society