Preventive Services Task Force Meetings Delayed

The United States Preventive Services Task Force has faced significant challenges under the leadership of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Since March 2025, the panel has not convened in person. Typically, this group meets three times annually to evaluate scientific evidence related to tests and medications aimed at preventing illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, and HIV. The panel’s recommendations are important; they inform doctors and influence insurance company coverage decisions for millions of Americans. Under Secretary Kennedy, however, the panel has struggled to make new recommendations.

A postponement of the meeting initially set for this month was communicated last week to those connected with the panel. Emily Hilliard, spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, confirmed this on Monday. She indicated that the delay until late August resulted from an ‘unprecedented number of nominations’ to serve on the task force, necessitating additional time to select and onboard new members.

Notably, in June 2025, the Supreme Court granted Mr. Kennedy the authority to unilaterally remove task force members and override its decisions. Since last July, Mr. Kennedy has canceled several meetings and has not addressed vacancies caused by expiring member terms. In May, he fired the panel’s two chairs.

A Federal Register notice from April invited nominations for the open seats with a deadline of May 23. The notice stated that nomination and application materials would be available for public review through the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, which oversees the task force. However, when a New York Times reporter visited on June 15, business hours access was denied. Officials cited the need for document redactions but have not provided further information.

Maggie Astor, with The New York Times, reports on women’s health and the impacts of government policies on public health.