Evidence of an Evidence-Based Double Standard at CMS

Maybe someone can explain the difference between the risks of off-label use of drug-eluting stents -- which CMS will still cover -- and the risks of appropriate ESA use -- which CMS will is banning. In both cases there is no evidence from randomized controlled trials demonstrating safety or quality of life benefit which CMS claims is the standard for reimbursing things these days.

Last time I checked there was no randomized placebo controlled study of aspirin with safety being the primary endpoint. Maybe Medicare should not pay for that either.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119318921736669347.html?mod=health_home_stories