Kennedy appoints eight to influential health panel

Health Secretary RFK Jr. named eight new members to the US Preventive Services Task Force, which determines what preventive services health insurers must cover at no cost.

Task force controls access to health screenings

The USPSTF's A and B grade recommendations are legally required to be covered by insurance at no cost. This means the panel's decisions directly affect which preventive services Americans can access.

Kennedy sidelined the panel for over a year

Kennedy canceled meetings and blocked new member appointments for more than a year, then fired two leaders in May. This mirrors his approach to stacking a vaccine advisory committee at the CDC.

New members break from preventive care tradition

Five of eight appointees are specialists like cardiologists and radiologists, departing from the USPSTF's traditional makeup of primary care doctors. The panel also removed its conflict of interest disclosure policy.

“A significant departure from the Task Force's traditional membership.”

Appointees share Kennedy's ideological views

At least one member criticized COVID-19 vaccines, at least two attacked gender-affirming care, and one is a health economist with Trump administration ties rather than a physician.

Nomination process lacks transparency

The New York Times requested nomination materials multiple times and filed a Freedom of Information Act request in August, but still has not received them. The selection process was supposed to be public.

Medical groups warn of credibility damage

The American Medical Association said the appointments represent a significant departure and called for the panel to maintain its commitment to transparent, rigorous, independent scientific process.

“Credibility has been built on a membership grounded in prevention and primary care.”