RFK Jr. fires two leaders of U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

WASHINGTON — Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has dismissed two senior members of a government advisory panel responsible for recommending preventive services for insurance coverage. 

John Wong and Esa Davis, who served as vice chairs on the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, received termination letters from Kennedy on May 11. The letters, as seen by STAT, indicate their dismissal followed a review of current appointments. 

The letters stated, “This action is administrative in nature and is unrelated to your performance or many years of dedicated service to the Task Force. 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.”