Kennedy considering firing members of preventive services task force [View all]

Source: NBC News

July 25, 2025, 6:46 PM EDT


Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is considering removing all 16 members of a highly influential advisory committee that offers guidance about preventive health services, such as cancer screenings, HIV prevention medications or tests for osteoporosis, according to two people familiar with the plan.

The United States Preventive Services Task Force is a group of independent doctors, nurses and public health experts who volunteer to regularly review volumes of the latest scientific research about diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease and mental health, as well as mammograms for breast cancer.

Health and Human Services' spokesperson Andrew Nixon said in an emailed statement Friday that “no final decision has been made on how the USPSTF can better support HHS’ mandate to Make America Healthy Again.”

Earlier this month, Kennedy caused alarm among task force members after he abruptly postponed a scheduled meeting that was set to focus on heart disease and prevention. At the time, task force members weren’t given a reason for the cancellation or whether the meeting would be rescheduled. Kennedy’s plans were first reported Friday by The Wall Street Journal.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/cancer/rfk-jr-considering-firing-task-force-cancer-screening-rcna221188