Physician-Lawmaker Maxine Dexter Leads Congress Calling for Protection of U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

PORTLAND, OR - Today, Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, a pulmonologist and critical care physician, led over 65 Members of Congress in condemning any effort by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to undermine the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a nonpartisan body responsible for providing evidence-based preventive care recommendations to the nation. Under current law, insurers must cover USPSTF-recommended services without cost-sharing, making the Task Force critical to affordable preventive care access for Americans.

"Americans depend on these experts not only to ensure preventive care is grounded in good science, but also to guarantee these lifesaving services are covered by insurance," said Rep. Dexter. "Although I am heartened by recent comments that a scheduled July meeting will proceed as planned, it is unacceptable that USPSTF has not met in over a year. I refuse to stay silent as RFK Jr. undermines the work of this critical body in apparent service to his baseless ideological aims. Our communities deserve to know they can access the care they need, driven by science they can trust."

The letter follows public comments from Secretary Kennedy suggesting he will overhaul USPSTF after failing to convene a Task Force meeting for more than a year. Dexter and her colleagues called on the Department of Health and Human Services to immediately restore the Task Force's full operations, preserve its scientific independence, and halt any attempt to politicize preventive healthcare recommendations.

The letter is signed by more than 65 members of the House, including the entire Democratic Doctors Caucus, and can be read here.

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