The statement below is issued by the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American College of Physicians, American Osteopathic Association and 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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American Academy of Family Physicians
Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 130,000 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the largest medical society devoted solely to primary care. Family physicians conduct approximately one in five office visits — that’s 192 million visits annually or 48 percent more than the next most visited medical specialty. Today, family physicians provide more care for America’s underserved and rural populations than any other medical specialty. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care. To learn more about the specialty of family medicine and the AAFP’s positions on issues and clinical care, visit www.aafp.org. For information about health care, health conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP’s consumer website, www.familydoctor.org.
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.
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. acog.org
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 161,000 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.
American Osteopathic Association
The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) represents more than 197,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs) and osteopathic medical students; promotes public health; encourages scientific research; and serves as the primary certifying body for DOs. To learn more about Dos and the osteopathic philosophy of medicine, visit www.osteopathic.org.
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 39,200 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.