The Trump administration has dismissed the two leaders of a key health advisory group responsible for determining when insurance providers must cover free preventive services, such as mammograms and colonoscopies, for millions of Americans.
Abrupt Termination
In letters dated May 11, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. informed Drs. John Wong and Esa Davis, the chairs of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, that their appointments were terminated immediately, before the conclusion of their multiyear terms.
The Department of Health and Human Services had already largely sidelined the task force, indefinitely postponing scheduled public meetings over the past year. This has left several long-anticipated updates, including those on cervical cancer screenings, in limbo.
Background of the Task Force
Established in the 1980s, the panel comprises experts who evaluate the latest scientific evidence on a wide range of disease prevention tools, such as depression screenings and statins for heart attack prevention. The task force updates guidelines with letter grades reflecting the strength of the science. Under the Affordable Care Act, most insurance plans must cover preventive services that receive an “A” or “B” grade without requiring co-payments.
Reasons Unclear
Kennedy’s letters did not specify why he ousted Wong and Davis. He acknowledged that their “leadership, contributions and expertise” have advanced the task force’s mission “to improve the health of Americans” and encouraged them to reapply. He noted that he was reviewing task force appointments “to ensure clarity, continuity and confidence” in HHS oversight.
The letters were first reported by The New York Times. An HHS spokesperson did not respond to inquiries about the reasons for the dismissals.
Kennedy’s Previous Statements
Kennedy told lawmakers last month that he was reforming the task force, calling it “lackadaisical,” and aimed to have it meet more frequently and “have, for the first time, transparency.” The panel currently holds public meetings, opens draft guidelines for public comment before finalizing them, and publishes the scientific evidence behind its recommendations.
Concerns Over Political Interference
Some health advocates have expressed concerns that Kennedy may be preparing to replace expert panel members with less experienced political appointees, similar to his actions with a critical vaccine advisory committee. Over the past year, the task force was not permitted to publish its final update to the cervical cancer screening guideline or take steps to update recommendations on maternal depression, according to former task force chairman Dr. Michael Silverstein, a pediatrician.
“This is a level of government intrusion into scientific processes that I’ve not experienced in my 10 years on the task force,” Silverstein said.
Staggered Terms and Normal Appointments
The panel has staggered terms, allowing health secretaries to regularly appoint new members and influence the task force without disrupting its work, explained Aaron Carroll of the nonpartisan health policy group AcademyHealth.
This article was produced by the Associated Press Health and Science Department, which receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
