The statement below is issued by the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Physicians, and the American Psychiatric Association:
The reports of pending dismissal of the members of the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) reflects an alarming erosion in reliance on scientific integrity and evidence-based health expertise in America’s public health infrastructure and will have grave consequences.
Our organizations, representing nearly 400,000 physicians and medical students, oppose any attempts to undermine the USPSTF, which has long operated under an independent and evidence-based process that ensures its recommendations are free of political or financial bias.
Increased political interference over the panel and its recommendations undermines the integrity of the task force. It represents a significant step backward for the group’s independence, which is vital because the USPSTF provides evidence-based recommendations for preventive services that are directly tied to health insurance coverage and access to care for patients.
We have already begun to witness the erosion of public trust and understanding of lifesaving health care in the wake of HHS’s overhaul of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Changing the composition of the USPSTF will only further dismantle America’s public health infrastructure and misinform Americans about crucial preventive services. These actions undermine the integrity and independence of the critical medical expert advisory groups responsible for informing U.S. health agency recommendations, policies and regulations.
It is crucial that physicians can inform their care recommendations based on rigorous, scientifically proven guidelines. We will continue to advocate for access to evidence-based health care.
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About the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
The AAFP is the largest national association of family physicians, representing 128,300 physicians and medical students. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on impactful care for people of all ages, races and genders across all medical conditions. The AAFP supports every stage of a family physician's career and provides evidence-based resources, advocacy and community to empower family medicine. To learn more, visit aafp.org. For information about health care, medical conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP’s patient education website, www.familydoctor.org.
About the American Academy of Pediatrics
The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.
About the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) is the nation’s leading group of physicians providing evidence-based obstetric and gynecologic care. As a private, voluntary, nonprofit membership organization of more than 60,000 members, ACOG strongly advocates for equitable, exceptional, and respectful care for all women and people in need of obstetric and gynecologic care; maintains the highest standards of clinical practice and continuing education of its members; promotes patient education; and increases awareness among its members and the public of the changing issues facing patients and their families and communities. www.acog.org
About the American College of Physicians
The American College of Physicians is the largest medical specialty organization in the United States with members in more than 172 countries worldwide. ACP membership includes 162,000 internal medicine physicians, related subspecialists, and medical students. Internal medicine physicians are specialists who apply scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to the diagnosis, treatment, and compassionate care of adults across the spectrum from health to complex illness. Follow ACP on X, Facebook, Instagram, Threads and LinkedIn.
About the American Psychiatric Association
The American Psychiatric Association, founded in 1844, is the oldest medical association in the country. The APA is also the largest psychiatric association in the world with more than 38,900 physician members specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and research of mental illnesses. APA’s vision is to ensure access to quality psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. For more information, please visit www.psychiatry.org.