United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office Health, Education, and Human Services Division author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 1996-04-24 monographic deposited born digital 29 p. GA 1.13:HEHS-96-83 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-HEHS-96-83 P0b002ee18038aa21 f:he96083 DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-24 GAOREPORTS-HEHS-96-83 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-HEHS-96-83 HEHS-96-83 Breast cancer Cancer research Radiation exposure hazards Health research programs Health care cost control Health insurance cost control Women Health care services Medical services rates Health insurance Medicaid Program Medicare Program CHAMPUS Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services Federal Employees Health Benefits Program Letter Report HEHS Although many insurers now cover the cost of autologous bone marrow transplantation, a new and expensive treatment for breast cancer, issues surrounding the procedure have put several goals of the U.S. health care systems in conflict: access to the best, most advanced care; cost containment; and research adequate to assess the value of new treatments. Proponents of insurance coverage argue that autologous bone marrow transplantation provides breast cancer patients with a promising, potentially life-saving treatment. Critics say that the proliferation of such unproven treatments is costly and harmful, potentially hindering clinical research to determine whether the treatment is effective. This report discusses (1) the factors that have influenced insurers' decisions on whether to cover the treatment, (2) the status of research on autologous bone marrow transplantation for breast cancer and the consensus on what is known about its effectiveness, and (3) the consequences of increased use and insurance coverage of the treatment while it is still being evaluated in clinical trials. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-HEHS-96-83/html/GAOREPORTS-HEHS-96-83.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-HEHS-96-83/pdf/GAOREPORTS-HEHS-96-83.pdf GAO/HEHS-96-83 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-HEHS-96-83 Letter Report GAO/HEHS-96-83; Health Insurance: Coverage of Autologous Bone Marrow Transplantation for Breast Cancer; Breast cancer Cancer research Radiation exposure hazards Health research programs Health care cost control Health insurance cost control Women Health care services Medical services rates Health insurance Medicaid Program Medicare Program CHAMPUS Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services Federal Employees Health Benefits Program