RFK Jr. has fired two leaders of the USPSTF, which sets guidelines for preventive health care. The HHS Secretary notified the doctors of their termination in a recent letter, though he has not given an official reason behind the decision.
RFK Jr. fires major leaders from health task force
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has fired John Wong and Esa Davis, who chaired the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) in a letter dated May 11. According to the letter obtained by The New York Times, the Health and Human Services Secretary terminated the appointments of the two panel leaders after conducting a “review of current USPSTF appointments.”
Kennedy stated that the review was carried out partly “to protect the integrity of the Task Force’s work.” He also confirmed that the termination of Wong and Davis is “effective immediately.”
As reported by The Hill, the letter says, “This action is administrative in nature and is unrelated to your performance or many years of dedicated service to the Task Force.” The letter added, “It is not to be understood as a removal based on your leadership or contributions. To the contrary, the Department is taking this step to help protect the Task Force and preserve confidence in the continuity and durability of its work.”
The USPSTF is an influential, independent panel of medical experts in disease prevention and evidence-based medicine. The health group determines when insurers cover free preventive care, like mammograms and colonoscopies, for Americans.
Kennedy’s letter does not state the reasons behind firing Wong and Davis from the USPSTF’s panel. In the letter, the HHS Secretary wrote that two doctors’ “leadership, contributions, and expertise” have helped further the Task Force’s work “to improve the health of Americans” and invited them to reapply to the positions. Kennedy added that the task force appointments are under review “to ensure clarity, continuity, and confidence” in HHS oversight (via AP News).
Originally reported by Namrata Ghosh on Mandatory.
