Campaigners believe such a fundamental change to the way NICE works would require primary legislation, rather than secondary legislation being passed with limited scrutiny.
Some lawmakers have already tried to reverse the change in the law.
Former Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell led the cross-party intervention, writing to former Health Secretary Wes Streeting to publish the government’s impact assessment of the plan 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, Labor 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 said. “This deal could have a huge impact on our health services, particularly 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.”
