HHS Secretary RFK Jr. Cancels U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Meeting Amid Backlash

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. abruptly postponed the July 10 meeting of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), a 16-member independent panel that provides evidence-based recommendations on preventive care, including screenings for cancer and other diseases. The cancellation, announced without explanation, has sparked widespread concern among healthcare leaders and public health experts who fear it may signal a political shake-up similar to Kennedy's recent dismissal of all members of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which advises on vaccine recommendations. The USPSTF's guidance is critical as it influences insurance coverage for preventive services at no cost to patients under the Affordable Care Act. The meeting was set to discuss behavioral counseling interventions related to diet, physical activity, and weight loss for cardiovascular disease prevention. Health organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Public Health Association, have expressed alarm over the potential undermining of the USPSTF's independent scientific role, urging Congress to protect its integrity. HHS has stated it looks forward to engaging with the task force but has not provided a rescheduled date or further details.