ASA joined with 35 other medical organizations in urging concern and requesting assistance from the Social Security Administration (SSA) regarding their decision to stop sharing death report data from the Social Security Death Master File (SSDMF). ASA and other organizations noted that this decision would hinder efforts at evaluating outcomes data because "linking clinical registries to the SSDMF allows for the verification of 'life status' of patients who otherwise would be lost for follow up after their treatment. Research based on this information helps physicians to provide information to today’s patients and families to help them with decision making."
ASA will continue to monitor this issue and keep members informed.
To read the letter, click here.