New USPSTF Members Draw AMA Criticism Over Primary Care and Transparency

The American Medical Association is raising concerns about Kennedy’s newly appointed members of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, saying the changes represent a significant departure from the panel’s traditional focus on prevention and primary care.

AMA questions the new USPSTF membership

AMA President Willie Underwood said in a statement Thursday that Kennedy’s new membership is a “significant departure from the task force’s traditional membership.”

The USPSTF’s credibility is “built on prevention and primary care-based membership—physicians who routinely provide preventive services and understand how recommendations translate into clinical practice,” Underwood said.

“We believe that maintaining a strong voice for primary care must remain at the heart of its work,” he added. As the new committee begins its work, its recommendations “must continue to be based on a transparent, rigorous and independent scientific process.”

Transparency concerns surround the selection process

The task force’s transparency has already been called into question. The New York Times reported that the process for nominating and selecting new USPSTF members is supposed to be transparent and open to the public, but has not been.

Times reporters said they repeatedly requested materials about the candidates, including through direct requests and Freedom of Information Act requests. The Times sued in August, but has not yet received the materials.

Who are the new USPSTF members?

• Seth Corey is a pediatric hematology-oncologist at the Cleveland Clinic and has donated to the Donald Trump Super PAC, according to STAT News.

• Patrick Hunter is a pediatrician at Pensacola Children’s Hospital in Florida. He has criticized gender-affirming care for minors and suggested it would lead to violence.

• Ronald Carlsberg is a cardiologist and clinical professor of medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

• Venkatesh Murthy is a professor of preventive cardiology at the University of Michigan. He has criticized the new coronavirus infection vaccine.

• Stephen Parente is a health economist and professor of finance at the University of Minnesota College of Business. During President Trump’s first term, Parente served as a senior economist on the White House Council of Economic Advisers.

  President Trump nominated him to be assistant secretary for planning and evaluation at the U.S. Department of Health, a position requiring Senate confirmation. His nomination was eventually withdrawn after concerns over financial disputes.

• Goldie Stands on the Bull is a family medicine physician at Texas Native Health.

• Lewis Wilson is a gastroenterologist at Gastroenterology Associates in Wichita Falls, Texas.

• Dennis Wolfek is a radiologist at RadPartners MBB Radiology in Florida.