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CDC advisory committees not mandated by law at risk of being terminated

The Department of Health and Human Services is 'recommending termination' of CDC's discretionary advisory committees, according to an email seen by POLITICO. The email, sent to CDC leaders today, said the agency would need to justify keeping the advisory committees by 10 tonight. However, a second, follow-up email said that 'no response is required at this time.' The advisory committees offer the CDC guidance from outside experts on an array of subjects — including HIV prevention and mitigating emerging infectious diseases, like the avian flu — on which the agency makes recommendations. 'Absent an adequate response, these FACAs are scheduled to be terminated,' the first email reads, using the acronym for the committees. It's unclear whether the second email means HHS is no longer planning to terminate the committees right away, or whether HHS will terminate them regardless of the CDC's response. A spokesperson for the CDC declined to comment. An HHS spokesperson told POLITICO 'HHS is complying with President [Donald] Trump's EO on the reduction of the federal bureaucracy.' The first email said the move is pursuant to Trump's executive order 'Commencing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy.' The email also said CDC must explain why the committees are essential to the conduct of agency business and in the public interest, state why the committees functions can't be performed by other means, and confirm that the agency head has approved the creation or continuation of the committees. The email lists nine CDC committees at risk: — The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Advisory Committee — CDC/HRSA Advisory Committee on HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STD Prevention and Treatment — Board of Scientific Counselors, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health — Board of Scientific Counselors Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases — Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee — Disease, Disability, and Injury Prevention and Control Special Emphasis Panel — The Board of Scientific Counselors, National Center for Health Statistics — Safety and Occupational Health Study Section — The Board of Scientific Counselors, Center for Preparedness and Response.