An «independent» advisory panel of non-federal experts determining which preventative healthcare services insurers must cover is accused of being staffed with doctors who have shown a propensity to prioritize «woke» left-wing diversity, equity and inclusion ideals in their work, as opposed to evidence-based science.

The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF), an all-volunteer panel of doctors who serve four-year terms appointed by the Secretary of Health, is made up of experts in preventative medicine, which includes services like screening tests, immunizations, behavioral counseling, and medications that can prevent the development or worsening of health conditions. One of the task force’s primary functions is to weigh the efficacy and cost-benefit of such preventative care services, recommendations for which are then used to shape what preventative care services insurance providers must cover.

The task force’s ability to make these healthcare recommendations, coupled with what appears to be a membership largely made up of left-wing, DEI proponents, has raised concerns about how the task force could be impacting healthcare. 

The Wall Street Journal reported in July that sources with knowledge of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s thinking said he was planning to dismiss all 16 members of the USPSTF for being too «woke.» 

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«HHS has been made aware of the ideological issues with members of the USPSTF raised by letters from Senate Republicans, members of the GOP Doctors Caucus, and a large group of physicians including Associations of American Physicians and Surgeons, America’s Frontline Doctors, and the Pennsylvania Direct Primary Care Association. HHS is troubled by these allegations and is investigating further,» Emily Hilliard, a Health and Human Services Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital when asked about Kennedy’s plans for the future of the current USPSTF.

Meanwhile, others, including the GOP Doctors Caucus and major physician groups including the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, have also raised alarm bells about potential left-wing bias at the USPSTF. One group that has also raised alarm bells about the USPSTF is the conservative watchdog group known as the American Accountability Foundation (AAF), which just released a new report claiming the USPSTF «has been thoroughly hijacked by left-wing partisans for the purpose of weaponizing science to spread leftist ideology.»

The AAF report points to Dr. Michael Silverstein, the task force’s current chairman, who, in 2023, said that USPSTF is «dedicated to … addressing critical issues of health equity» after he was re-appointed to the task force’s leadership team under the Biden administration. As Vice Chair of the task force in 2023, Silverstein co-authored an annual report to Congress highlighting a new partnership with the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) aimed at helping the task force be more «inclusive.»

The partnership, according to the report to Congress, was meant to help develop «new recommendations on screening for anxiety disorders, and other conditions that affect LGBTQ+ communities to enhance the health, wellness, and quality of life of their patients.»

Other recommendations from the USPSTF that have come down in the last several years include a 2022 recommendation denoting the need for physicians to consider race when screening for anxiety in children and adolescents. A more recent recommendation, published in April, said that doctors should pay special attention to breastfeeding in black mothers due to the «lasting psychological impact and stigma of enslaved Black women being forced to act as wet nurses.» 

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Denver, CO – APRIL 25 : Medical doctor Alia Broman, right, examines a 6 years old patient at Denver Health in Denver, Colorado on Thursday, April 25, 2024.  (Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post))

Meanwhile, a 2021 report from the USPSTF, on addressing sex and gender when making preventative healthcare recommendations, included an analysis of how gender-specific terminology, as opposed to «gender-neutral» terminology, could play a role in addressing the needs of «diverse populations.» Think «pregnant people» versus «pregnant mother,» a switch that eventually became part of the task force’s official guidelines. 

«To advance its methods, the USPSTF reviewed its past recommendations that included the use of sex and gender terms, reviewed the approaches of other guideline-making bodies, and pilot tested strategies to address sex and gender diversity,» the report states. «Based on the findings, the USPSTF intends to use an inclusive approach to identify issues related to sex and gender at the start of the guideline development process; assess the applicability, variability, and quality of evidence as a function of sex and gender; ensure clarity in the use of language regarding sex and gender; and identify evidence gaps related to sex and gender.»

Another major achievement towards the task force’s mission to advance «health equity» was the release of a 2024 «Health Equity Framework» aimed at embedding gender theory and other left-wing ideologies into its operations. 

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In addition to the work the task force has done, its members also have an extensive history of publishing research that focuses on «health equity» and other DEI components, such as how race impacts certain health outcomes, or how to address sex and gender when making recommendations for clinical preventative services.

«National Institutes of Health Pathways to Prevention Workshop: Achieving Health Equity in Preventive Services,» is the title of a scientific research report co-authored by task force rank-and-file member, Dr. Sandra Millon Underwood. «Further Incorporating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Into Medical Education Research,» and «Health Equity Starts with Us: Recommendations from the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute Racial Justice and Health Equity Task Force,» were also reports co-authored by members of the USPSTF.

«Antiracist initiatives, such as incorporating community-support persons (e.g., lay doulas) into maternity care for Black people, can reduce disparities in outcomes by addressing both interpersonal racism and the lack of workforce diversity caused by structural racism,» stated a May 2024 research paper co-authored by USPSTF rank-and-file member Dr. Alicia Fernandez.

The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) has been accused of being infiltrated by «woke» leftists, with sources familiar with Heath Secretary Robert F. Kennedy saying he has plans to fire all 16 of them.  (iStock; Getty Images)

Members of the supposedly «independent» USPSTF have also used their positions of expertise to fight Trump administration priorities as well, such as those around abortion and research funding reforms. 

For example, Dr. David Chelmow, another task force member, has appeared in several physician-backed American Civil Liberties Union memos about efforts opposing the Trump administration, including one challenging Trump’s efforts to implement greater protections around the mail-order abortion drug called mifepristone, which many pro-life OBGYN’s have warned is dangerous if not dispensed in-person. In March, Dr. Carlos Roberto Jaen, another task force member, signed a letter alongside 1,900 others accusing the Trump administration of weakening US research capacity and endangering Americans.

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When making recommendations for preventative care services, the USPSTF assigns a letter grade, A, B, C, D, or I. 

Any service given an «A» or «B» grade, is required to be covered by private insurers under a mandate in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). These grades are also tied to coverage requirements for public insurers, like Medicare and Medicaid. 

In 2019, the task force gave the precautionary anti-HIV drug Preexposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) an «A» grade, guidelines for which were later clarified in 2023. The task force’s current Vice Chair, Dr. John Wong, also co-authored a 2017 paper on how scaling-up the use of PrEP can help reduce the prevalence of HIV among gay men. But, according to AAF, the active promotion of PrEP creates an atmosphere of dangerous sexual activity that risks public health dangers due to what the foundation says is promotion of risky sexual behaviors. Additionally, at least one Christian-owned business has argued that forcing insurance providers to cover medication that promotes risky sexual behaviors violates their rights.

Earlier this summer, the Supreme Court weighed in on whether the USPSTF’s authority to compel coverage of preventative healthcare it gives either an «A» or «B» grade was unconstitutional. The group that brought the case, Braidwood Management Inc., initially objected on religious grounds to the ACA requirement that insurance providers cover certain HIV-prevention medications for which the task force has issued an «A» recommendation, specifically PrEP. However, the case ultimately morphed into a question over the legitimacy of USPSTF’s recommendation authority, and whether the circumvention of Senate approval for its members was allowed by the Constitutions Article II clause on advise and consent.

The facade of the Supreme Court building at dusk is shown in this photo. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

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Both the Biden and Trump administrations have taken up the argument that the Health Secretary alone has ultimate control over whether to appoint or fire USPSTF members. The Trump administration also argued in its briefs to the High Court that the Secretary had the authority to block, or rescind, task force recommendations as well, according to SCOUTS Blog.   

Ultimately, the Supreme Court voted 6-3, in favor of the federal government’s argument that the appointment process for the USPSTF, and therefore its legitimacy, did not violate the Constitution.

Shortly after the Supreme Court’s decision in the Braidwood case, Health Secretary Kennedy reportedly postponed a long-scheduled task force meeting of the USPSTF, which was the same move he made before firing every member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the main federal entity that helps craft federal vaccine policy. Kennedy has long been a critic of conventional vaccination policies and practices.    

The Wall Street Journal reported in July, not long after the Supreme Court’s decision in the Braidwood case, that sources familiar with Kennedy’s thinking said he was planning to dismiss all 16 members of the USPSTF for being too «woke.»

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva confirmó que irá por su reelección. Con su enemigo Jair Bolsonaro condenado a 27 años por golpismo y a solo cuatro días de cumplir 80 años, el presidente brasileño aseguró este jueves que buscará su cuarto mandato en las elecciones generales del 4 de octubre de 2026.

Falta un año, pero ya no tiene dudas. En medio de una dura disputa con Donald Trump por las fuertes sanciones arancelarias aplicadas contra Brasil, dijo que está “preparado” para gobernar otros cuatro años. De ser reelegido, dejaría el poder con 85 años.

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“Voy a disputar un cuarto mandato en Brasil. Mi mandato termina a finales de 2026, pero estoy preparado para disputar otras elecciones”, afirmó en Yakarta durante una rueda de prensa conjunta con su par de Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto.

Lula, de visita oficial en ese país asiático, cumplirá 80 años el lunes próximo.

Tarcisio de Freitas se perfila como el rival de Lula

Si bien falta un año para los comicios, el rompecabezas político brasileño se comienza a reacomodar tras la condena del expresidente Bolsonaro, aquejado además de un cáncer de piel y bajo arresto domiciliario.

Por izquierda, Lula; por derecha, todas las miradas apuntan al gobernador del rico estado de San Pablo, Tarcisio de Freitas, muy cercano al exmandatario y el único capaz de vencer al actual presidente, según varias encuestas.

Con Bolsonaro fuera de combate, Tarcisio busca el aval de su líder para oficializar la postulación. Desde el bolsonarismo sostienen que el exmandatario puso como única condición que uno de sus hijos, o su esposa Michelle, lo acompañen en la fórmula. Y además que, si resulta electo, lo amnistíe en forma inmediata, algo que el gobernador dijo que haría sin dudar.

Por qué Lula no deja paso a las nuevas generaciones

En el oficialismo la figura de Lula monopoliza todo. No solo por liderazgo, sino también por personalidad y en especial por ser el único capaz de unir a las distintas corrientes internas de la coalición gobernante.

“Su personalidad nunca dejó surgir un nuevo liderazgo en el sindicato de los metalúrgicos y lo mismo hizo con el PT (Partido de los Trabajadores)”, dijo a TN el analista político brasileño Gunther Rudzit, exconsejero de la embajada brasileña en Washington y de la misión de su país en la OEA.

Pero además Lula sigue siendo la ficha de unión de una izquierda que presenta varias grietas internas.

“No es necesariamente que Lula no quiera abrir abrir el espacio” a las nuevas generaciones”, dijo a TN el analista Fernando Guarnieri, de la Universidad de San Pablo.

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Para el politólogo, “el PT está dividido en varias corrientes en un cierto equilibrio de poder. Como ninguna corriente es hegemónica, si Lula apoya a un político de una de ellas va a perturbar todo el proceso”.

“Fuera de eso, para ganar el PT precisa de aliados, más allá de los partidos de la coalición (de izquierda). Políticos del ´centrao´ (una formación de partidos de centroderecha que suelen dar gobernabilidad al presidente de turno en el Congreso), son reacios al riesgo y solo apoyarán a un candidato con posibilidades reales de victoria», afirmó.

Gualtieri dijo que el PT perdió importantes cargos políticos nacionales, como la alcaldía de San Pablo, tras la la causa conocida como Lava Jato, una operación policial y judicial que destapó una enorme red de corrupción vinculada a la petrolera estatal Petrobras.

“Ahora deberá recuperarlos para ofrecer nuevos cuadros viables y nuevas fuerzas hegemónicas dentro del partido”, indicó.

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Lula gobernó dos períodos consecutivos entre 2003 y 2010 y ejerce actualmente una tercera presidencia desde el 1° de enero de 2023. Ahora está dispuesto a ir por un cuarto mandato en un país dividido en dos bajo una fuerte polarización.

“Puede estar seguro de que tengo la misma energía de cuando tenía 30 años y voy a disputar un cuarto mandato”, afirmó.

EXCLUSIVE: Former Special Counsel Jack Smith is requesting to testify in open, public hearings before the House and Senate Judiciary Committees, Fox News Digital has learned.

Fox News Digital exclusively obtained a letter Smith’s attorneys sent to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley Thursday afternoon, after both panels signaled interest in testimony from the former special counsel.

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«Given the many mischaracterizations of Mr. Smith’s investigation into President Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents and role in attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election, Mr. Smith respectfully requests the opportunity to testify in open hearings before the House and Senate Judiciary Committees,» Smith attorneys Lanny Breuer and Peter Koski wrote.

«During the investigation of President Trump, Mr. Smith steadfastly adhered to established legal standards and Department of Justice guidelines, consistent with his approach throughout his career as a dedicated public servant,» they wrote.

«He is prepared to answer questions about the Special Counsel’s investigation and prosecution, but requires assurance from the Department of Justice that he will not be punished for doing so,» they continued. «To that end, Mr. Smith needs guidance from the Department of Justice regarding federal grand jury secrecy requirements and authorization on the matters he may speak to regarding, among other things, Volume II of the Final Report of the Special Counsel, which is not publicly available.»

Smith’s attorneys also noted that in order to provide «full and accurate answers to your questions, Mr. Smith requires access to the Special Counsel files, which he no longer has the ability to access.»

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee leaves the Republican caucus meeting at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023.  (Jose Luis Magana/The Associated Press )

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«With the guidance and access described above, Mr. Smith is available to testify in an open hearing at your earliest convenience,» they wrote.

A source familiar told Fox News Digital that Smith’s attorneys are planning to officially seek guidance from the Department of Justice on the matter.

The letter from Smith’s attorneys comes after Jordan, R-Ohio, requested Smith appear for a closed-door transcribed interview and provide all records from his work related to President Donald Trump.

Senator Chuck Grassley, a Republican from Iowa and chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, speaks during a hearing in Washington, DC, US, on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025 (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The letter also comes after Grassley, R-Iowa, and nearly two dozen Senate Republicans demanded that the Department of Justice and FBI release documents on Smith’s decision to subpoena telecommunications companies for phone records of a number of Senate Republicans during his probe into Jan. 6, 2021.

Fox News Digital exclusively reported earlier in October that Smith tracked the private communications and phone calls of GOP Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Josh Hawley of Missouri, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, Dan Sullivan of Alaska, Tommy Tuberville of Alabama and GOP Rep. Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania as part of his «Arctic Frost» investigation.

An official said the records were collected in 2023 by Smith and his team after subpoenaing major telephone providers. 

FBI Director Kash Patel shakes hands with Republican Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa during a Senate Judiciary hearing on Sept. 16, 2025. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

An FBI official told Fox News Digital that Smith and his team tracking the senators were able to see which phone numbers they called, the location the phone call originated and the location where it was received.

A source said the calls were likely in reference to the vote to certify the 2020 election. 

Smith, though, called his decision to subpoena several Republican lawmakers’ phone records, calling the move «entirely proper» and consistent with Justice Department policy.

«As described by various Senators, the toll data collection was narrowly tailored and limited to the four days from January 4, 2021 to January 7, 2021, with a focus on telephonic activity during the period immediately surrounding the January 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol,» Smith’s lawyers wrote Tuesday to Grassley. 

A split image featuring US Attorney General Merrick Garland, President Donald Trump and Special Counsel Jack Smith (Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images | Photo by Rebecca Noble/Getty Images | Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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Smith was appointed special counsel by Attorney General Merrick Garland in November 2022.

Smith, after months of investigating, charged President Donald Trump in the U.S. District Court for Washington, D.C., in his 2020 election case, but after Trump was elected president, Smith sought to dismiss the case. Judge Tanya Chutkan granted that request. 

Smith’s case cost taxpayers more than $50 million. 

Fox News’ Ashley Oliver contributed to this report.