The American Medical Association has formally urged Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. not to dismiss the entire U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, following reports that he plans to replace all 16 members of the panel responsible for crafting national preventive health guidelines.
AMA CEO Dr. John Whyte voiced deep concern over these reports, warning that removing the Task Force could destabilize evidence-based screening and prevention recommendations that millions of Americans rely on. The Task Force advises on screenings such as cancer detection, HIV prevention, and behavioral health services—recommendations that insurers are required to cover under the Affordable Care Act.
The controversy comes on the heels of another dramatic move by Kennedy in June, when he dismissed all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and replaced them with seven new appointees, several of whom have expressed skepticism about vaccine safety. That decision sparked backlash from public health organizations and prompted an emergency AMA resolution calling for Congressional oversight.
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Kennedy’s authority to remove Task Force members was recently affirmed in a Supreme Court ruling that upheld the group’s constitutional standing but allowed the health secretary to reorganize its membership. After the ruling, a scheduled USPSTF meeting was abruptly canceled earlier in July without public explanation, fueling further uncertainty within the health care community.
In its appeal to Kennedy, the AMA emphasized the Task Force’s commitment to nonpartisan, science-driven health guidance and urged that current members be retained. More than 100 health organizations have echoed this stance, warning that dismantling the Task Force could jeopardize access to essential screenings and undermine public trust in preventive medicine.
The USPSTF has long been regarded as a gold standard in clinical practice. Its recommendations help determine what preventive services are offered at no cost to patients, ranging from routine mammograms and colorectal cancer screenings to counseling for mental health and maternal care. Health leaders fear that politicizing the Task Force could lead to inconsistent or outdated guidance, impacting both patient outcomes and insurance coverage.
So far, HHS has not confirmed whether it will proceed with a full restructuring of the Task Force. In a brief statement, the department noted that no final decision has been made and reiterated its mission to improve the health of all Americans.
The AMA warns that any disruption to the USPSTF’s operations could have far-reaching consequences, not just for clinical practice but for the foundational trust Americans place in national health recommendations. As deliberations continue, the medical community remains watchful, advocating for stability and integrity in the country’s preventive health framework.
