In a strong appeal to U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the American Medical Association (AMA) has voiced serious concerns over the possible dismissal of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)—a move that could potentially undermine decades of progress in preventive healthcare access.

The USPSTF is a federally supported independent panel of medical experts that plays a crucial role in evaluating and recommending essential preventive services—such as cancer screenings, blood pressure checks, and mental health evaluations—that are required to be covered by insurance providers at no extra cost.

Image Credit: Mary Kekatos

Why This Matters for Patients and Providers

If disbanded, millions of Americans could lose guaranteed access to free and evidence-based screenings, which would disproportionately affect underserved communities. The AMA, along with public health experts, has argued that the elimination of this task force would destabilize the healthcare system and increase long-term costs due to late-stage disease detection.

“Stripping away preventive care coverage would be a step backward for national health,” said the AMA in its official letter to Secretary Kennedy.

Kennedy, who is reviewing regulatory bodies and task forces for potential bias or inefficiencies, has not yet responded formally to the AMA’s appeal. However, this development comes amid broader debates over healthcare reform under his leadership.

What’s Next?

Healthcare providers, insurers, and advocacy groups are closely monitoring the situation, as changes to USPSTF authority could have sweeping implications for coverage policies and public health outcomes across the United States.

Source: Reuters – Medical group urges Kennedy not to fire U.S. care task force