USA TODAY International Edition
The investigation’s findings
KHN’s investigation shows that industry money has shaped policy, public opinion and patient care around 3D mammograms by:
Paying influential doctors. In the past six years, 3D equipment manufacturers – including Hologic, GE Healthcare, Siemens Medical Solutions USA and Fujifilm Medical Systems USA – have paid doctors and teaching hospitals more than
$ 240 million, including more than $ 9.2 million related to 3D mammograms, according to a KHN analysis of the Medicare Open Payments database. Just over half of that money was related to research; other payments covered speaking fees, consulting, travel, meals or drinks. The database shows that influential journal articles – those cited hundreds of times by other researchers – were written by doctors with financial ties to the 3D industry.
Marketing directly to consumers. Manufacturers have urged women to demand “the better mammogram.” Manufacturers spent $ 14 million to market 3D screening over the past four years, not including spending on social media, according to Kantar Media, which tracks the advertising industry.
Lobbying state lawmakers. Private insurers in 16 states are legally required to cover 3D screenings, as are Medicaid programs in 36 states and Washington, D. C.
Funding experts and advocates. Hologic has given educational grants to the American Society of Breast Surgeons, which recently recommended 3D mammograms as its preferred screening method, the group’s website says. Hologic declined to reveal amounts. Hologic also has funded patient advocates such as the Black Women’s Health Imperative, which lobbies for 3D exam access.