‘Deep concern’ from American Medical Association amid reports HHS plans to dismiss entire USPSTF

The American Medical Association is voicing “deep concern” amid reports the Health and Human Services chief plans to dismiss members of the panel dictating what imaging services insurers must cover. 

The Wall Street Journal first reported news of the alleged impending ouster on July 25, citing anonymous sources. Purportedly, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wants to dismiss all 16 volunteer members of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, concerned they are too “woke.” 

However, an agency representative denied the report Friday, insisting Kennedy is still mulling the matter. 

"No final decision has been made on how the USPSTF can better support HHS' mandate to Make America Healthy Again," the HHS spokesperson said.

The American Medical Association responded to these reports in July 27 letter to the former environmental lawyer and anti-vaccine activist. AMA noted the task force plays a “critical, nonpartisan role” in preventing cancer and other diseases while improving Americans’ health. 

“On behalf of the physician and medical student members of the American Medical Association, I am writing to express our deep concern with the recent reports of your intention to remove all of the members of the United States Preventive Services Task Force,” AMA CEO John Whyte, MD, MPH, wrote to Secretary Kennedy Sunday. “We urge you to retain the previously appointed members of the USPSTF and commit to the long-standing process of regular meetings to ensure their important work can continue without interruption,” he added later. 

Whyte is referencing HHS’ “abrupt” cancellation of the USPSTF meeting planned for July 10. Following news of the decision, over 100 health organizations including the AMA wrote to leaders in Congress, asking them to protect the task force. U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., also joined the chorus earlier this month. Cancellation of the meeting came after Secretary Kennedy in June dismissed all 17 members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine advisory panel. 

The AMA emphasized that task force members are selected through an “open, public” nomination process, with “nationally recognized experts” in primary care and disease prevention making up the panel’s membership. 

“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’s CEO wrote. “Importantly, the USPSTF puts forth recommendations that dictate coverage policy for health insurers nationwide. By law, insurers must cover USPSTF-recommended services without cost sharing. This means that patients have access to services such as screenings for colon, breast and lung cancer; screenings for anxiety and depression in children; and screenings and preventive services for cardiovascular disease. Access to these services without cost sharing plays a critical role in keeping patients healthy and reducing the burdens of disease.”

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force was established in 1984, assembling an independent, volunteer panel of experts in evidence-based medicine. Its recommendations were granted greater weight following passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010. Under the ACA, private health plans must cover certain preventive services, including regular breast, colorectal and lung cancer screenings. A group of Christian business owners sued HHS in 2020, claiming the ACA requirement violates their religious freedoms by forcing their employer-sponsored health plans to cover drugs for HIV. However, the Supreme Court quashed those claims in June.