SRES 343119th CongressIn Committee

A resolution recognizing the important work of the United States Preventive Services Task Force.

Introduced: Jul 29, 2025

Healthcare

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This is a Senate resolution recognizing the important work of the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). The resolution emphasizes that the USPSTF is an independent, statutorily authorized panel of experts who evaluate evidence and issue recommendations on preventive health services. It reiterates the importance of evidence-based, transparent processes in developing recommendations and notes the USPSTF’s role in shaping coverage decisions under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The resolution expresses concern about disruptions to the Task Force’s work and requests that there be no interruption, delay, or funding disruption, and that the Task Force continue its work according to established processes. It directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reconvene the Task Force and move its work forward without delay, in line with the Public Health Service Act. In short, the resolution is a non-binding statement of support that calls for the uninterrupted functioning of the USPSTF, continued commitment to its evidence-based methods, and prompt reconvening and advancement of its work by the HHS, to preserve access to evidence-based preventive care for Americans.

Key Points

1The USPSTF is a scientifically independent, statutorily authorized panel of voluntary, non-Federal experts focused on evidence-based disease prevention and preventive services.
2The Task Force uses a defined, multi-step process to prepare recommendations, including assessing evidence quality, estimating benefits and harms, evaluating certainty and net benefit, and assigning a recommendation grade for the relevant population.
3Its work is connected to ACA preventive-services coverage: services rated A or B (and certain other agencies’ recommendations) must be covered by insurers without cost-sharing when delivered by in-network providers.
4The USPSTF reviews a broad range of preventive services (screenings, counseling, and preventive medications) across all ages and populations; there are 54 recommended services and medicines referenced in the resolution.
5The resolution highlights that the USPSTF’s work should remain transparent and evidence-based, with public comment considered in developing plans and recommendations; it also notes efforts to ensure the Task Force’s operations are not disrupted, including funding and staffing considerations at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: The American public, particularly patients who rely on preventive health services and on insurance coverage without cost-sharing for Task Force–recommended services; clinicians who implement USPSTF recommendations in practice.Secondary group/area affected: Health insurers and health plans (private and public) that determine coverage of preventive services based on USPSTF grades; health care providers and health systems that organize and deliver preventive care; employers and policymakers relying on stable preventive-care guidance.Additional impacts:- Reinforces the importance of funding and administrative support for the USPSTF through AHRQ, including the need to avoid interruptions in meetings and deliberations.- Affirms the legal and policy framework linking USPSTF recommendations to ACA coverage requirements, which affects cost-sharing and access to preventive services.- Signals congressional support for maintaining rigorous, transparent methods in preventive-services evidence reviews, which can influence public trust and the adoption of guidelines.- While a resolution, not a statute, it may influence future funding, staffing, and administrative actions to ensure the USPSTF can function without delay.

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