The letter was in response to concerns raised after The Washington Post reported words such as “evidence-based,” “diversity,” “transgender” and “science-based” were discouraged in official documentation.
In the letter, CDC Director Brenda Fitzgerald said the agency “has not banned, prohibited or forbidden” using these words, and previous reports “mischaracterized staff discussions regarding the annual budget formulation process,” according to The Hill.
“There are absolutely no ‘banned’ words. These are merely suggestions of what terms to use and what often overused words should be avoided,” the letter reads.
The Hill reported the CDC said HHS does recommend not using “vulnerable,” “diversity” and “entitlement,” and using “ObamaCare” rather than “Affordable Care Act” or “ACA.”
Some Senate Democrats called this guidance a “politically charged list of ‘words to avoid.'”
“This is Orwellian anti-science partisanship that has no place in a government agency,” Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, said in a statement. “HHS and the CDC have an obligation to carry out the law and protect public health. They should not be engaging in partisan politics that undermine scientific progress and public faith in our government.”
More articles on leadership and management:
Responding to natural disasters, implementing EHR systems & more: 9 CEOs share their greatest accomplishments in 2017
House Democrats press committee to question Azar on drug prices, ACA
CRNA flies US flag in honor of NAPA while on active duty
