U.S. Chamber Challenges HHS for Blood Pressure Data

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Chamber of Commerce – with the Salt Institute –filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services over the agency's failure to release important scientific data to the public. That data was cited by an HHS study that found that lowering salt intake reduces high blood pressure in all people.

"The government's failure to disclose scientific data about a serious health issue unlawfully blocks critical information from the American public," said Bill Kovacs, U.S. Chamber vice president for environment, technology, and regulatory affairs. "We asked for the information and the government refused to provide it to us, so we're taking it to the courts."

Withholding influential information violates the Information Quality Act, according to the Chamber. The purpose of the act is to ensure that the government uses objective, good quality information when making public policy. The government is required to release this information and allow a public review. The Chamber and the Salt Institute have jointly filed a petition in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia seeking full disclosure of the data denied by HHS.

The Chamber has twice sought to obtain the information from HHS. The government refused in both instances to make available the data effectively blocking additional scientific investigation or verification of their study: "The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Sodium Trial."

"It is deeply troubling that HHS refuses to provide the public with information that was used in a report showing health impacts on Americans," continued Kovacs. "The federal government must follow the law and we plan to make sure it does."

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

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The Chamber's legal challenge is available online here.