After removal of data and guidance on the CDC, NIH and other government websites, ACP joined with other medical organizations in opposing the decision
Feb. 21, 2025 (ACP) -- Recent removal of data and other information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other federal websites following an executive order by President Trump has prompted the American College of Physicians to speak out and highlight its own resources on affected topics.
“As the voice of internal medicine physicians, ACP continues to advocate on behalf of physicians and patients. And we are dedicated to keeping our members informed about the potential impacts of executive orders and helping them access crucial information,” said Shari Erickson, ACP chief advocacy officer and senior vice president of governmental affairs and public policy.
In early February, ACP joined the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Osteopathic Association and American Psychiatric Association to oppose the Trump administration's decision to remove certain datasets and guidance from the CDC and NIH websites.
The CDC also temporarily stopped publishing the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report and failed to promptly update data regarding flu activity.
“The research, data and guidance on these webpages are widely used by the more than 600,000 physicians our organizations represent,” ACP and its allies wrote in a joint statement. “Removal hamstrings our ability to provide factual, accurate information to the millions of patients our members serve. These resources are not just academic references. They are vital for real-time clinical decision-making in hospitals, clinics and emergency departments across the country.”
The statement added: “Restricting access to these webpages leaves physicians, scientists and other members of the health care community without up-to-date recommendations on managing infectious diseases, public health threats, essential preventive care and chronic conditions.”
ACP also reacted by referring members to its own resources regarding sex and gender and immunization guidelines.
“Our goal is to share information that can be helpful for members, such as those who are providing gender-affirming care,” Erickson said. “Our resources can help them navigate these medical topics.”
On Feb. 11, a federal judge ordered health agencies to restore deleted webpages, at least for now. But CBS News reported that some online materials that were not specifically mentioned in the lawsuit remained offline, such as CDC recommendations regarding vaccinations for mpox.
ACP is also concerned about the Trump administration's attempt to reduce NIH grant overhead or indirect funding to 15 percent. A federal judge has halted the move for the moment.
“This was going to have a significant impact in terms of the ability of our members to conduct research, and it would affect patients and others who benefit from the research too,” Erickson explained.
The actions targeting research are especially harmful because they are being made without extensive evaluation, according to Erickson. “One could argue that there's certainly need for reform in federal government spending,” she said. “But making changes immediately like this can have significant long-standing impacts that are not what is intended.”
ACP is also carefully monitoring White House plans to dramatically cut the federal workforce. These cuts could have devastating effects on agencies such as the CDC and even the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which runs Medicare, Erickson noted.
On another front, ACP is keeping a close eye on White House actions regarding immigration. So far, international medical graduate students -- including ACP members -- do not seem to be affected, Erickson said. But ACP will advocate for them if the situation changes.
ACP continues to consult with its allied medical societies about Trump administration actions, Erickson said. And they continue to advocate within the court system via amicus briefs as necessary to protect the interests of patients and physicians.
Back to the February 21, 2025 issue of ACP Advocate