Republican doctors urge Kennedy to change US preventive care task force.

GOP Doctors Caucus Advocates for Changes to USPSTF

The GOP Doctors Caucus has expressed support for potential overhauls to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, or USPSTF. A letter addressed to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Secretary of Health and Human Services, was released by Rep. Diana Harshbarger from Tennessee, along with Rep. Greg Murphy and other caucus members. They voiced concerns that the task force might be prioritizing social justice issues over health matters.

Harshbarger stated, “Preventive care should focus on keeping Americans healthy, not just ticking political boxes. The task force needs to prioritize science, act swiftly, and respect the insights of frontline physicians. It should align with President Trump’s goal to ‘Make America Health Again.’

The letter specifically highlights the need to include relevant experts in the recommendation process, enhance transparency in decision-making, and pay attention to divisive social issues, which they feel have recently been added to the task force’s agenda. It mentions race and gender identity considerations that have seemingly expanded beyond established clinical practices.

According to the letter, “The Affordable Care Act in 2010 increased the authority of the USPSTF and tied compensation recommendations to its decisions. However, since these expansions, the number of preventable chronic diseases in the U.S. has only increased.”

Other caucus members signing the letter included Reps. Andy Harris, Ronnie Jackson, Mike Kennedy, Brian Babin, Sheri Biggs, and Bob Onder.

Recently, three Republican senators also raised similar concerns regarding the task force’s current direction.

The senators noted that the USPSTF had deviated from its responsibilities under the Health Equity Framework introduced in December 2023, claiming that the focus on “equal access to quality health care for all” was insufficient as a public health objective. Instead, they reported, the task force has opted to prioritize what it deems “important public health” matters.

In a previous report, Kennedy mentioned contemplating the removal of board members.

The American Medical Association has voiced its opposition to changes in the task force, asserting that it plays a significant, nonpartisan role in guiding preventive health efforts. They believe it’s essential to retain current members and continue regular meetings to ensure that vital work proceeds without disruption.

A separate group of physicians, including members from the American Association of Physicians and Surgeons, American Frontline Physicians, and the Pennsylvania Direct Primary Care Association, has also supported the idea of making changes to the task force. They argue that new members should provide an “ideological balance” to ensure recommendations are based on facts and sound science.