Kennedy Jr. fires health task force leaders

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.>>>, under the Donald Trump>>> administration, fired the two leaders of the United States — United States Preventive Services Task Force>>>, Drs. John Wong (physician)>>> and Esa Matius Davis>>>, before their multiyear terms ended. This action follows a year of the United States — United States Department of Health and Human Services>>> largely sidelining the task force, postponing public meetings and leaving updates on critical health screenings in limbo. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.>>> stated he is reforming the task force for greater transparency and more frequent meetings, but health advocates, including former chairman Michael Silverstein>>>, view this as government intrusion into scientific processes. The task force's guidelines are crucial as they determine which preventive services, like mammograms and colonoscopies, must be covered without co-pay under the Affordable Care Act.