Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is reportedly weighing the removal of all 16 members of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)—a panel that plays a crucial role in deciding which medical screenings and treatments must be covered for free under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
The possible move, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, would mark a major shift in U.S. health policy and could significantly alter how preventive care is prioritized and delivered nationwide.
The USPSTF, made up of independent experts in medicine and public health, evaluates scientific evidence to recommend screenings and treatments for conditions like cancer, heart disease, and HIV. Their ratings directly influence what services insurance providers must offer at no cost to patients under Obamacare.
One such recommendation—the “A” rating for HIV prevention drug PrEP—has drawn fire from religious conservative groups and became the subject of a court battle. Although the Supreme Court upheld the ACA provision earlier this year, it also confirmed that the HHS Secretary has broad power to appoint or remove task force members.
A spokesperson for HHS, Andrew Nixon, said Friday that no final decision has been made, but emphasized the department’s mission to “Make America Healthy Again.”
Concerns escalated recently when Kennedy abruptly postponed a scheduled USPSTF meeting on heart disease prevention, leaving task force members in limbo.
Public health officials are alarmed, especially given Kennedy’s history of vaccine skepticism and the global rise in preventable diseases like measles. Experts worry a political shake-up of the task force could jeopardize access to evidence-based preventive care and erode public trust.
The Justice Department has so far declined to comment on the situation.
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Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
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