Campaigners believe such a fundamental change to how NICE functions should have required primary legislation, rather than secondary legislation pushed through with limited scrutiny.
Some MPs have already tried to push back on the legislative changes.
Former Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell led a cross-party intervention, writing to former Health Secretary Wes Streeting to publish the government’s impact assessment of the deal and allow MPs to debate it in parliament.
The letter, seen by POLITICO, was signed by more than 20 MPs, including former Green party leaders Siân Berry, Carla Denyer, Adrian Ramsay, Green MP Hannah Spencer, Labour MP Andy McDonald and SNP MP Seamus Logan.
“We are deeply concerned that the government is going against its promise to keep the NHS off the table in a trade deal with Trump,” the letter stated. “This agreement will likely have a huge impact on our health services, especially if it means diverting funding from our parts of the NHS.”
What’s next?
Nick Dearden, director of Global Justice Now, said the government is expected to respond “within days.”
