Today, an apology and an attempt to clarify the new recommendations on mammograms that have left women confused.
"We recognize the communication of our findings was poor," said Dr. Ned Colange, Chair of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Last month, the panel recommended against routine mammograms for women under 50, saying it's not worth subjecting patients to unnecessary radiation and biopsies. The panel also recommended against teaching women to do self breast exams.
"You put doctors in a tenable position and you put patients at risk of death," said Rep. Phil Gingrey, R-Georgia.
Republicans claim the recommendations are based on cost and will result in rationing, something the panel denies.
"Cost played no role in our recommendations," said Dr. Diana Petitti, Vice Chair, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
"To say cost is not a factor in this is not honest, it's just not," said Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich.
The debate also focused on health care reform.
"The 2,000-pound gorilla is the bill the house passed two weeks ago," said Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas.
Under the health care reform bill, Burgess and others argued mammograms would not be considered essential services and would not be covered. Democrats say that's not true.
"That is offensive, just plain wrong," said John Dingell, D-Mich.
There were also questions about the panels credibility, since the group is made up of a small number of government appointed experts, none of them oncologists or radiologists.
Others argue that's exactly what's needed because the panelists are not allowed to have conflicts of interest that may interfere with their scientific judgment.
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