Harshbarger, Murphy Lead GOP Doctors Caucus in Demanding Overhaul of “Woke” Preventive Services Task Force

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger, Pharm.D. (R-TN), along with GOP Doctors Caucus co-chair Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. (R-NC), led a coalition of Republican physicians and medical professionals in Congress in calling for a complete overhaul of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), which they say has strayed from its mission of saving lives through evidence-based preventive care and instead drifted into divisive political territory.

In a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the lawmakers demand that the USPSTF be rebuilt with practicing, non-biased clinicians who have real-world experience treating patients, not bureaucrats or academics pushing political ideology. They also call out the Task Force for delaying or refusing to issue recommendations on critical preventive screenings, citing “insufficient evidence” even when there is broad clinical consensus.

Other GOP Doctors Caucus Members who signed the letter are U.S. Reps. Ronny Jackson (R-TX), Andy Harris (R-MD), Mike Kennedy (R-UT), Brian Babin (R-TX), Bob Onder (R-MO), and Sheri Biggs (R-SC).

“Preventive care should be about keeping Americans healthy, not about checking political boxes,” said Congresswoman Harshbarger. “The American people deserve a Task Force that follows the science, acts with urgency, and relies on the expertise of front-line doctors. The USPSTF should be leading the charge in President Trump’s ‘Make America Healthy Again’ agenda, not wasting time on woke distractions while chronic disease rates keep climbing.”

The letter points to alarming statistics since the Task Force’s authority was expanded under the Affordable Care Act:  adult obesity rates have risen 5%, Type 2 diabetes is up nearly 20%, and certain cancers are being diagnosed at later, more dangerous stages because of misguided screening guidance.  The lawmakers argue these outcomes prove the need for immediate reform.

The GOP Doctors Caucus is calling for:

●    A mandate that relevant specialists be included when issuing recommendations in their field.

●    Full transparency in how decisions are made.

●    A renewed focus on public health outcomes instead of politically charged social issues.

“The President and the American people deserve a USPSTF that is committed to its mission,” the lawmakers write. “We cannot afford to sacrifice the excellence and quality of promoting health and wellness to the altar of prejudice and divisive ideology.”

A full copy of the letter can be found here.