Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has dismissed Dr. John Wong, chair of the Preventive Services Task Force, and Esa Davis, the vice chair, amid ongoing criticisms of the panel's effectiveness. Kennedy described the task force as 'lackadaisical and negligent' and aims to appoint new members with a defined mission. The task force is responsible for determining which preventive healthcare services, such as mammograms and depression screenings, must be covered by insurers at no cost to patients. However, Kennedy has postponed the task force's last three meetings and allowed several positions to remain vacant, with half of the 16 seats currently unfilled. The dismissals were communicated in letters stating they were necessary to maintain the task force's integrity and continuity, although they were not performance-related. Critics, including Dr. Aaron Carroll of AcademyHealth, have expressed concerns that these actions could undermine public trust in healthcare systems, highlighting the importance of transparent procedures in maintaining the task force's credibility. The firings come just before a deadline for nominating new members, potentially complicating the selection of future leadership.