health
RFK Jr fires leaders of group that sets guidelines for preventive healthcare
US Preventive Services Task Force had already been largely sidelined before health secretary fired its two chairs
TL;DR
- The Trump administration fired the two leaders of the US Preventive Services Task Force.
- The task force determines which preventive care services are covered by insurance.
- Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr notified the chairs their appointments were terminated immediately.
- The Department of Health and Human Services had previously sidelined the task force.
- The panel, created in the 1980s, scrutinizes evidence for disease prevention tools and updates guidelines with letter grades.
- Under the Affordable Care Act, most insurance plans must cover preventive services with an 'A' or 'B' grade without co-pay.
- Kennedy cited a review of appointments to ensure clarity, continuity, and confidence in HHS oversight.
- Kennedy previously called the taskforce 'lackadaisical' and aimed to reform it for more frequent meetings and transparency.
- Some health advocates worried about replacing experts with political appointees.
- Former taskforce chair Dr Michael Silverstein described the situation as governmental intrusion into scientific processes.