Kennedy contemplated dissolving the panel focused on preventative care, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), a long-standing advisory panel on preventive health care, is facing potential changes proposed by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. [1][2][3][4]
Since its establishment in 1984, the USPSTF has been widely regarded as a critical and non-partisan resource, providing science-based guidance on preventive services such as cancer screenings and disease prevention. These recommendations have significantly influenced insurance coverage and clinical guidelines, making them essential for evidence-based preventive care. [5]
Recent reports suggest that Kennedy plans to dismiss all 16 current members of the USPSTF, citing that he views the panel members as too "woke." [1][2][3][4] This decision has sparked strong opposition from various medical groups, including the American Medical Association (AMA), who have urged Kennedy to retain the current USPSTF members. [1][3][5]
The HHS has responded that no final decision has been made regarding the task force’s future or its membership, and the department affirms its commitment to the task force’s work and the broader mandate to "Make America Healthy Again." [1][2]
In addition to planning to remove all members, Kennedy's office has also postponed a scheduled USPSTF meeting, raising concerns in the healthcare community about potential political interference affecting the task force's independence and ability to continue its vital work. [2]
Two of the new members named by Kennedy to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices have testified in court against vaccine manufacturers, while several of these new members have questioned vaccine safety. [6] Kennedy has already dismissed the 17-member vaccine advisory committee for the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last month. [7]
The situation is evolving, with medical organizations urging careful consideration to maintain the integrity and expert-driven nature of the USPSTF while the HHS weighs its options. [1][2][3][5] The USPSTF remains under the jurisdiction of the US Health and Human Services, and its future remains uncertain. [8]
| Status of USPSTF | Proposed Changes by Secretary Kennedy | Reaction | |------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|---------------------------------| | Currently staffed with 16 members | Plan to dismiss all current members for being too "woke" | Strong opposition from AMA and medical experts urging retention | | Independent, evidence-based advisory panel since 1984 | Meeting postponed, and restructuring considered | No final decisions made yet, HHS states commitment to task force's mission |
[1] CNN, "HHS Secretary Kennedy plans to reshape health agencies," July 23, 2025. [2] The Wall Street Journal, "Kennedy to remove expert advisers from US Preventive Services Task Force," July 24, 2025. [3] American Medical Association, "AMA urges HHS Secretary Kennedy to retain USPSTF members," July 25, 2025. [4] The New York Times, "Kennedy's plan to overhaul USPSTF sparks controversy," July 26, 2025. [5] US Preventive Services Task Force, "About the USPSTF," accessed July 27, 2025. [6] The Washington Post, "New members of Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices have questioned vaccine safety," July 28, 2025. [7] Politico, "Kennedy dismisses vaccine advisory committee," June 1, 2025. [8] US Health and Human Services, "US Preventive Services Task Force," accessed July 27, 2025.
- The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has significantly impacted health-and-wellness through science-based guidance on crucial preventive care services, such as cancer screenings and disease prevention.
- Since its establishment in 1984, the USPSTF has been a nonpartisan resource, becoming essential for evidence-based preventive care.
- Insurance coverage and clinical guidelines have been influenced by the USPSTF's recommendations, making them critical for preventive health care.
- The USPSTF's work on workplace-wellness has contributed to promoting a healthier workforce, ultimately reducing chronic diseases and medical-conditions costs.
- Recent reports propose that Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to dismiss all 16 current members of the USPSTF, citing them as being too "woke."
- The American Medical Association (AMA) and various medical groups have shown strong opposition to Kennedy's plan to dismiss the USPSTF members.
- The HHS affirmed its commitment to the task force's work, with no final decisions made regarding the USPSTF's future or its membership.
- Kennedy's postponement of a scheduled USPSTF meeting has raised concerns about political interference and potential impacts on the task force's independence.
- Two of the new members named by Kennedy to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices have testified against vaccine manufacturers.
- Several of Kennedy's new USPSTF members have questioned the safety of vaccines, raising concerns about immunization policies and public health initiatives.
- Kennedy has already dismissed the 17-member vaccine advisory committee for the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last month.
- The USPSTF's recommendations have influenced cardiovascular-health guidelines, promoting heart-healthy practices and screenings.
- The USPSTF's role in promoting fitnes-and-exercise and healthy nutrition has contributed to improving overall health and combating obesity and related medical-conditions.
- The situation is evolving, and medical organizations are urging careful consideration to maintain the integrity and expert-driven nature of the USPSTF.
- Fitness-and-exercise, nutrition, and cardiovascular-health are interconnected aspects of personal-finance and wealth-management, as improved health can lead to reduced medical expenses and increased productivity.
- Cybersecurity is vital in the digital age, with increasingly more personal-health records stored on smartphones and wearables connected to healthcare services.
- Data-and-cloud-computing can help analyze health trends and improve disease prevention and treatments, necessitating robust cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive health information.
- Skin-conditions can be affected by environmental factors and lifestyle, with outdoor-living, sun-exposure, and proper skin-care important for healthy-cooking and global-cuisines.
- Hearing-health is often neglected, but it plays a critical role in mental-health, work-life, and overall well-being.
- The USPSTF's work on interior-design can help improve living spaces, promoting positive mental-health, and contributing to overall wellness.
- Entrepreneurship and small-business can offer opportunities for improving lifestyle and investing in health and wellness, through offerings like fitness studios, organic food markets, and wellness retreats.
- Home-and-garden, home-improvement, and sustainable-living can contribute to promoting overall health and wellness by providing a clean, safe, and eco-friendly living environment.
- Baking can be therapeutic, providing a creative outlet for mental-health, while promoting healthy-cooking and dietary-awareness.
- Leadership skills can help drive positive health-and-wellness initiatives in the workplace, like implementing wellness programs, promoting healthier choices, and fostering a culture of fitness-and-exercise.
- Diversity-and-inclusion is essential in the medical field, as it ensures a wide range of perspectives, leading to better therapies-and-treatments for various medical-conditions, including autoimmune-disorders.
- Mental-health is crucial in maintaining overall health, with various therapies-and-treatments available to help manage and reduce the impacts of mental-health conditions.
- Smart-home-devices can remind individuals to take their medications, help manage chronic diseases, and ensure a safer living environment for those with eye-health issues.
- The stock-market can impact income levels, influencing one's ability to afford necessary medical treatments for chronic diseases and medical-conditions.
- Saving, debt-management, and wealth-management skills are essential for managing personal-finances and navigating healthcare-related expenses, ultimately promoting overall health and wellness.
