US health department waives conflicts for preventive care panel

The US Department of Health and Human Services granted signed blanket conflict-of-interest waivers to every member of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, STAT said on 11 November. The waivers allow the advisers to serve even though some have financial interests connected to decisions the panel could make.

The panel evaluates evidence on screenings, counseling and preventive medications. Its recommendations typically guide which services insurance covers.

The interests covered

The documents obtained by STAT show that 2 members own private medical practices that could profit if the panel recommends particular types of care. The waived interests also include shares in pharmaceutical and medical-device companies and employment at public research universities that provide medical care.

A top federal official signed the waivers. Some members, especially newer ones, have more extensive conflicts than others, STAT said.

As general legal background, the regulation recognizes waivers under 18 U.S.C. 208(b), including where an employee reports a relevant financial interest and a reviewing official, consulting an ethics counselor, determines that it is not substantial enough to be likely to affect the integrity of government service. Another mechanism is disqualification from particular matters: the employee signs a statement identifying its scope and the conflicting interest, and the reviewing official retains it and regularly monitors compliance.