RFK Jr. Vows to Demolish Preventive Medicine

Mother Jones
by Alex Nguyen
April 16, 2026
2 min read

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The Bottom Line

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to overhaul the US Preventive Services Task Force.

How This Affects You

Changes to the US Preventive Services Task Force could remove insurance coverage for certain preventive drugs or screenings under the Affordable Care Act.

AI Summary

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated he would overhaul the US Preventive Services Task Force, which he called "lackadaisical and negligent for 20 years." Kennedy told members of the House Ways and Means Committee that he would appoint new members with "a clear mission." Five of the 16 panel members' terms expired last December, but Kennedy has not filled those roles. If the new task force stops recommendations on a certain preventive drug or screening, insurance companies would no longer be required to cover it under the Affordable Care Act. The panel has not met in a year due to HHS cancellations and did not submit its congressionally-mandated report for 2025.

What's Being Done

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated he would appoint new members to the task force.

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