Nurses' Coalition Urges HHS to Preserve Independence of USPSTF Amid Member Replacement Reports

A coalition of 16 state nurses' associations has raised concerns over reports that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is considering removing all current members of the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). This follows a similar approach with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) by the current administration. The USPSTF is a non-partisan panel of experts responsible for developing evidence-based recommendations on clinical preventive services such as screenings, counseling, and preventive medications, which directly influence coverage mandates under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). These recommendations are vital in ensuring Americans have access to preventive care without out-of-pocket expenses. The nurses' coalition emphasizes that preventive care benefits all demographics by saving lives and lowering long-term healthcare costs and cautions against politicizing an institution grounded in scientific evidence. They urge HHS to maintain the current USPSTF membership and allow it to continue its work independently to preserve public trust and access to quality preventive care. The Washington State Nurses Association, part of the coalition, supports this stance, highlighting its history in advocating for nurses and healthcare standards since 1908.