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HealthQuiet 6d · day 7

Kennedy Adds Eight Members to Preventive Services Task Force

HHS Secretary RFK Jr. fills USPSTF vacancies with specialists, marking a shift from primary care composition.

newest coverage 5d agosummary written 5d ago3 pieces Newswires

What to know

  • Kennedy filled eight USPSTF vacancies with specialists (cardiologists, gastroenterologist, radiologist, AI and insurance experts) rather than primary care doctors, marking a compositional shift.
  • The task force had not met for over a year due to cancelled meetings, following Kennedy's May removal of two vice chairs.
  • Medical leaders worry that panel reshuffling without changes to evidence infrastructure may compromise the scientific credibility underpinning insurance coverage decisions.

“Primary care doctors routinely deliver preventive services and understand how recommendations translate into clinical practice. As the USPSTF moves forward, its recommendations must continue to be based on a transparent, rigorous, independent scientific process.”

Willie Underwood III, President, American Medical Association · MedPage Today ↗ · Sep 17

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Robert F. Kennedy Jr. HHS SecretaryAaron Carroll President and CEO, AcademyHealthWillie Underwood III President, American Medical AssociationJohn Wong Former USPSTF Vice Chair, Tufts Medical CenterEsa Davis Former USPSTF Vice Chair, University of Maryland

Kennedy Adds Eight Members to Preventive Services Task Force
MedPage Today

How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articles

Peak 2 pieces in two hours at Sep 17, 1 PM; 3 pieces over 7 days (3 articles) Sep 17, 1 PM — 2 pieces · 2 articles — Newswires 2Sep 17, 3 PM — quietSep 17, 5 PM — quietSep 17, 7 PM — quietSep 17, 9 PM — quietSep 17, 11 PM — quietSep 18, 1 AM — quietSep 18, 3 AM — quietSep 18, 5 AM — quietSep 18, 7 AM — quietSep 18, 9 AM — quietSep 18, 11 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Sep 18, 1 PM — quietSep 18, 3 PM — quietSep 18, 5 PM — quietSep 18, 7 PM — quietSep 18, 9 PM — quietSep 18, 11 PM — quietSep 19, 1 AM — quietSep 19, 3 AM — quietSep 19, 5 AM — quietSep 19, 7 AM — quietSep 19, 9 AM — quietSep 19, 11 AM — quietSep 19, 1 PM — quietSep 19, 3 PM — quietSep 19, 5 PM — quietSep 19, 7 PM — quietSep 19, 9 PM — quietSep 19, 11 PM — quietSep 20, 1 AM — quietSep 20, 3 AM — quietSep 20, 5 AM — quietSep 20, 7 AM — quietSep 20, 9 AM — quietSep 20, 11 AM — quietSep 20, 1 PM — quietSep 20, 3 PM — quietSep 20, 5 PM — quietSep 20, 7 PM — quietSep 20, 9 PM — quietSep 20, 11 PM — quietSep 21, 1 AM — quietSep 21, 3 AM — quietSep 21, 5 AM — quietSep 21, 7 AM — quietSep 21, 9 AM — quietSep 21, 11 AM — quietSep 21, 1 PM — quietSep 21, 3 PM — quietSep 21, 5 PM — quietSep 21, 7 PM — quietSep 21, 9 PM — quietSep 21, 11 PM — quietSep 22, 1 AM — quietSep 22, 3 AM — quietSep 22, 5 AM — quietSep 22, 7 AM — quietSep 22, 9 AM — quietSep 22, 11 AM — quietSep 22, 1 PM — quietSep 22, 3 PM — quietSep 22, 5 PM — quietSep 22, 7 PM — quietSep 22, 9 PM — quietSep 22, 11 PM — quietYesterday, 1 AM — quietYesterday, 3 AM — quietYesterday, 5 AM — quietYesterday, 7 AM — quietYesterday, 9 AM — quietYesterday, 11 AM — quietYesterday, 1 PM — quietYesterday, 3 PM — quietYesterday, 5 PM — quietYesterday, 7 PM — quietYesterday, 9 PM — quietYesterday, 11 PM — quietToday, 1 AM — quiet 1–2
Sep 18Sep 19Sep 20Sep 21Sep 22yesterdaynow · 3:50 AM ET
  1. 1

    Medical leaders express concerns about process and composition

    Aaron Carroll of AcademyHealth and American Medical Association President Willie Underwood III both emphasized that credibility depends on transparent process and scientific rigor, and noted that the new slate departs from traditional primary care composition.

    “The Task Force needs members, but the credibility of its recommendations depends on a transparent process, rigorous evidence review, and strong scientific support.”
    — Aaron Carroll
  2. 2

    Kennedy adds eight new members to USPSTF

    HHS Secretary RFK Jr. appointed eight new experts to the task force, including cardiologists, a gastroenterologist, a radiologist, an AI expert, and a health insurance expert. This rounds the panel to its full capacity of 16 members. The new composition marks a departure from the traditional primary care-focused membership.

    “reforming the task force, calling it 'lackadaisical and negligent.'”
    — Robert F. Kennedy Jr., HHS Secretary · source
    1. 1 outlet RFK Jr. Picks New USPSTF Members

      first by MedPage Today, 6d ago

  3. background

    Kennedy fires two USPSTF vice chairs — Kennedy removed John Wong, MD of Tufts Medical Center and Esa Davis, MD, MPH of the University of Maryland from their positions as vice chairs. Both received letters suggesting they reapply for membership.

  4. background

    Kennedy tells lawmakers he is 'reforming' USPSTF — During a House hearing, Kennedy described the task force as 'lackadaisical and negligent' and stated his intention to reform it.

  5. background

    Subsequent USPSTF meetings cancelled through early 2026 — Scheduled meetings in November 2025 and March 2026 also did not occur.

  6. background

    Kennedy cancels July 2025 USPSTF meeting — HHS Secretary RFK Jr. abruptly cancelled the task force's scheduled July 2025 meeting.