Traditional physicians believe the federal government's goal of reducing the US cesarean-delivery rate to 15% of deliveries may put some mothers and infants at risk. The goal, as set out in the "Healthy People 2000" report by the US Department of Health and Human Services, is aimed at reducing the nation's rate of cesarean deliveries, which was 21% in 1995.

The New England Jou2nal of Medicine January 7, 1999;340:54-57.

COMMENT: The C-Section rate in this country thirty years ago was only 5% and now the traditional medicine people are screaming that a rate 300% higher is too low to shoot for. Amazing, the persistence in surgery and chemistry that this group has as an alternative to more natural methods absolutely amazing! I believe it should even be less than 5%. I am surprised that a federal agency was actually able to set the goal of 15%.