The AAFP sent reps to testify against the bill. | Courtesy of Morguefile
+ Regulatory
Jeff Gantt | Dec 11, 2016

AAFP works to stop subspecialist bill

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) is currently fighting a proposed bill to Congress that would order subspecialist physicians and representatives from the industry to be added to a federal task force created to give preventive guidance to primary care physicians.

Dr. John Meigs, president of the AAFP, recently testified against the bill before the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Health.

"Primary care physicians, due to the diversity and complexity of the patients we care for, are uniquely situated to provide a comprehensive and whole-person perspective to the task force, as compared to physicians and clinicians who care for a single disease process or organ system," he said. "This process works best when the participating physicians and scientists, as well as the entity itself, are insulated from commercial and political pressures."

Subspecialists and the organizations they represent currently nominate topics to be considered by the committee -- and ones that will assist with research plan development.

"We have found that engaging subspecialists on specific recommendations where they have expertise to offer is the most effective and efficient approach to our work," Dr. Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, chair of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, said.

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