USPSTF work slows, recommendations delayed

A public health official expressed concern with the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force’s work slowdown. Miranda Yaver, PhD, coordinating committee member at Defend Public Health and an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh, worries poorer patients may not receive timely access to preventive cancer screenings if the USPSTF fails to release annual preventative screening recommendations. Insurers must provide preventive screenings meeting certain USPSTF evidence thresholds at no cost to patients covered under the Affordable Care Act. The administration canceled the USPSTF July meeting and delayed its November meeting without rescheduling it. The terms of five members of the 16-member task force expired on Dec. 31, with no plans announced to replace them. The USPSTF is supposed to finalize four draft guidelines soon. (MedPage Today article, 1/13/26)