AMA statement on HHS removing vice chairs of USPSTF

Statement attributable to:
Bobby Mukkamala, MD
President, American Medical Association

“The AMA is extremely concerned by today’s HHS decision to remove the vice-chairs of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). The task force serves an essential, non-partisan role in making evidence-based recommendations on clinical preventive services and screenings that physicians rely on to prevent disease.

“Today’s changes were foreshadowed by the earlier dismantling of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). We strongly urge HHS to restore the USPSTF’s long-standing, transparent process for selecting members, specifically clinicians with expertise in the fields of preventive medicine and primary care. We also implore HHS to commit to once again holding regular Task Force meetings to ensure its important work can continue without further delay. Our patients’ lives depend on it.”

The American Medical Association is the physicians’ powerful ally in patient care. As the only medical association that convenes 190+ state and specialty medical societies and other critical stakeholders, the AMA represents physicians with a unified voice to all key players in health care. The AMA leverages its strength by removing the obstacles that interfere with patient care, leading the charge to prevent chronic disease and confront public health crises and, driving the future of medicine to tackle the biggest challenges in health care.