A top U.S. health lobbying group is calling on Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to not dismiss a preventive task force following a report he’s planning to remove all of its members in the same way he ousted an entire vaccine advisory board earlier this year.
The American Medical Association (AMA) wrote to Kennedy on Sunday to express its “deep concern” over reporting that Kennedy is planning to dismiss all members of the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).
“USPSTF members have been selected through an open, public nomination process and are nationally recognized experts in primary care, prevention and evidence-based medicine. They serve on a volunteer basis, dedicating their time to help reduce disease and improve the health of all Americans—a mission well-aligned with the Make America Healthy Again initiative,” the AMA wrote in a letter to Kennedy.
The Wall Street Journal reported late last week that Kennedy was planning to dismiss the entire 16-member panel for being too “woke” in his eyes, citing people familiar with the decision. The report comes after Kennedy in June dismissed the entire Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, replacing the members with some known spreaders of vaccine information.
When reached for comment by The Hill, a spokesperson the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said, “No final decision has been made on how the USPSTF can better support HHS’ mandate to Make America Healthy Again.”
Just last month, the USPSTF’s powers to make recommendations survived legal scrutiny when the Supreme Court upheld their constitutionality. Plaintiffs in the case argued the panel was unconstitutional. The case began when a Texas business did not wish to cover HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, which is recommended by the USPSTF.
“Given the essential role USPSTF members play in weighing the benefits and harms of preventive services such as screenings, behavioral counseling, and preventive medications, and making evidence-based recommendations for implementation in primary care settings, we urge you to keep the previously appointed USPSTF members and continue the task force’s regular meeting schedule to ensure recommendations are put forth, updated, and disseminated without delay,” the AMA told Kennedy.
