Richard H. Hughes, IV, Member of the Firm in the Health Care & Life Sciences practice, in the firm’s Washington, DC, office, was quoted in Inside CMS, in “USPSTF Meeting Not Rescheduled Yet, but Regular Work Continues,” by Luke Zarzecki. (Read the full version – subscription required.)
Following is an excerpt:
After the postponement of an in-person meeting, the regular work of the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has continued but the postponed meeting has not been rescheduled, coming as one senator may craft a resolution in support of the task force.
Earlier this month (July 7), HHS notified those scheduled to attend a July 10 USPSTF meeting that included topics on preventing cardiovascular disease and innovative approaches to child health that the meeting would not take place. HHS did not give a reason for the postponement.
Former task force members, public health groups and others warned the move could indicate a desire by Kennedy to replace current members of the task force, but no changes have been made so far. …
"My speculation has been that the Secretary's focus here will be very different than his focus on vaccines," attorney Richard Hughes of Epstein Becker Green previously said in a statement to IHP. "The difference is likely reflected in both his strong anti-vaccine and chronic disease views, but I would expect that we will see many of the same events surrounding ACIP repeat themselves here - postponed meeting, removal of members, appointment of new members, fully compromised entity."
