U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Meetings Delayed

The Trump administration, under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has again postponed a meeting of the United States Preventive Services Task Force. This marks the fourth delay, leaving the panel without a physical meeting since March 2025.

The task force usually convenes thrice yearly to evaluate scientific evidence on preventive measures against conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and HIV. Their recommendations influence medical practices and insurance coverage for millions. However, under Secretary Kennedy’s leadership, the panel’s ability to make new recommendations has been hindered.

Last week, an email went out to stakeholders announcing the postponement of a planned meeting, with confirmation from Emily Hilliard, a Department of Health and Human Services spokeswoman. She attributed the delay to the need for more time to select and onboard new members due to an “unprecedented number of nominations.” A rescheduled meeting is set for late August.

In June 2025, the Supreme Court allowed Kennedy to remove panel members and override its decisions unilaterally. Since then, Kennedy canceled meetings last July, November, and March. He has also failed to fill expired positions, and in May, dismissed the panel’s two chairs.

A call for nominations was published in the Federal Register in April with deadlines in May, but access to these nomination documents has been restricted. A reporter from The New York Times was denied document access in June, with officials claiming the need for redactions. Further inquiries about document availability remain unanswered.

Maggie Astor covers the impact of government policies on women’s health for The Times.