Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has appointed a new group of members to a federal health panel, a move that has drawn criticism regarding the selection process and the backgrounds of the appointees. Willie Underwood, President of the American Medical Association, stated that the new slate represents a "significant departure from the Task Force’s traditional membership," emphasizing the importance of a strong primary care voice and a transparent, rigorous, independent scientific process for recommendations.
The New York Times has highlighted concerns about the transparency of the nomination and selection process for new members of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), noting that requested materials have not been provided, leading the Times to file a lawsuit in August.
Among the new members are:
- Seth Corey, a pediatric hematologist-oncologist at Cleveland Clinic, who reportedly donated to a Donald Trump super PAC.
- Patrick Hunter, a pediatrician critical of gender-affirming care for minors.
- Ronald Karlsberg, a cardiologist and clinical professor of medicine.
- Venkatesh Murthy, a professor of preventive cardiology critical of COVID-19 vaccines.
- Stephen Parente, a health economist who previously served as a senior economist on the White House Council of Economic Advisors under Donald Trump. His nomination for another role in the US health department was withdrawn due to financial conflict concerns.
- Goldie Stands-Over-Bull, a family medicine physician.
- Louis Wilson, a gastroenterologist.
- Dennis Wulfeck, a radiologist.
