4 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 23
Two leaders of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force were dismissed last week with little explanation beyond Kennedy’s claim that he was protecting the panel’s integrity.
The firings hit a 16-member body whose recommendations drive no-copay insurance coverage for screenings, counseling and preventive drugs used by millions of Americans.
Kennedy had already postponed all 3 scheduled task force meetings, blocked new topics and suppressed guidance including updated cervical cancer screening recommendations.
With terms expiring and replacements delayed, the panel now has 8 open seats, raising concerns that new appointees could reshape evidence-based advice on cancer screening and HIV prevention.
With half its experts gone, can America's top prevention panel survive a complete government overhaul?
As critical cancer screening guidelines stall, who will now decide what preventive care millions of Americans receive?
Preventive Care at Risk: How Kennedy’s Firings Threaten USPSTF Independence and Healthcare Access
Overview
On May 11, 2026, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. abruptly terminated two key members of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), aiming to ensure clarity, continuity, and protect the panel’s integrity. This sudden action created an immediate leadership vacuum, severely hampering the USPSTF’s ability to function and issue new recommendations. The disruption was intensified by a recent history of cancelled meetings, leaving the panel unable to guide preventive care. As a result, insurers, clinicians, and patients now face significant uncertainty about healthcare coverage and access to essential preventive services.