The American Medical Association (AMA) has expressed deep concern over reported plans by independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr to dismantle a key preventive health taskforce, accusing him of politicising science and undermining public health. The warning comes after reports surfaced that Kennedy, if elected, intends to overhaul the US Preventive Services Task Force for allegedly promoting ‘woke’ ideology.
Medical leaders issue a sharp rebuke
In a letter addressed to US Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, the AMA urged the administration to safeguard the independence of the taskforce, which plays a critical role in evaluating medical evidence and issuing guidance on screenings, vaccines and preventive care. The AMA described Kennedy’s reported comments as “reckless” and warned that any attempt to dismantle or politicise the panel would risk damaging public confidence in health recommendations.
Dr Jesse Ehrenfeld, president of the AMA, said: “This task force is not political — it is scientific. Its work has saved lives by providing evidence-based advice that helps Americans detect disease early and stay healthy.”
RFK Jr’s controversial stance
Kennedy, a long-time vaccine sceptic and vocal critic of mainstream health institutions, has drawn scrutiny for his views on medical regulation. According to campaign insiders cited by multiple media outlets, he is considering restructuring or eliminating the US Preventive Services Task Force if elected, claiming it has been influenced by progressive ideology.
He reportedly views the panel’s recent recommendations on gender-affirming care, mental health screening and reproductive health as evidence of political bias — a charge strongly disputed by health experts and researchers.
Kennedy’s campaign has not issued a formal policy paper on the subject but has defended his broader scepticism of federal health agencies, including the CDC and FDA.
Experts warn of long-term harm
Health professionals fear that dismantling the task force could destabilise decades of progress in evidence-based care. The panel, established in 1984, consists of independent experts who review clinical data to provide trusted recommendations used by doctors, insurers and state agencies nationwide.
Critics argue that removing such a structure would create a vacuum in preventive care policy and allow misinformation or commercial interests to influence future guidance. Several public health scholars warned that political interference could erode the scientific integrity of care standards, especially in areas such as cancer screening, heart disease prevention and mental health.
A wider battle over science and policy
Kennedy’s reported plan forms part of a broader narrative in the 2024 presidential race, where science and health regulation have become contentious battlegrounds. While his campaign has gained traction with some disillusioned voters, mainstream medical groups remain wary of the consequences.
The AMA’s intervention signals growing unease in the medical community over how public institutions could be reshaped in a post-pandemic political environment. As the race intensifies, the tension between regulatory independence and populist scepticism is likely to remain in sharp focus.
REFH – Newshub, 28 July 2025
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