Sixty organizations representing cancer providers and patients urged Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to protect the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. The USPSTF is an independent panel that issues recommendations for clinical preventive services, including screenings, counseling, and medications. The task force has not convened for over a year, and Kennedy recently fired its vice chairs, John Wong and Esa Davis. The organizations said USPSTF work reduces the cancer burden, noting that nearly half of cancer deaths could be prevented through prevention and early detection. They cited draft recommendations for cervical cancer screening, prostate cancer screening, and tobacco cessation, and warned that colorectal and lung cancer screening will soon be overdue. They also emphasized that Affordable Care Act coverage requires most insurers to cover USPSTF A or B services without cost sharing.
"Sixty organizations representing providers and patients with cancer submitted a letter to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., secretary of Health and Human Services, urging him to protect the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). USPSTF is an independent panel of experts in disease prevention. It provides recommendations for clinical preventive services like screenings, counseling services and medications."
"The organizations explain in the letter that USPSTF plays a critical role in reducing the burden of cancer, which is the second leading cause of death in the U.S. It's also been found that nearly half of cancer deaths could be prevented with prevention and early detection interventions. In addition to updating existing recommendations, USPSTF also develops new ones, the letter explains."
"There are several recommendations currently in the draft stage, including cervical cancer screening, prostate cancer screening and tobacco cessation. "Additional recommendations, including colorectal cancer and lung cancer screening, will shortly be overdue. Prioritizing USPSTF's review and potential recommendations of the latest science will support consumers' access to proven preventive and life-saving services," the letter stated."
"In addition, USPSTF has an impact on no-cost coverage, the organizations explained. Under the Affordable Care Act, most insurers are required to cover USPSTF-recommended services with an "A" or "B" rating without cost sharing. This affects more"
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