Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Home Local news RFK Jr. Announces: U.S. Health Department to Review Data from Autistic Medicare and Medicaid Members
  • Local news

RFK Jr. Announces: U.S. Health Department to Review Data from Autistic Medicare and Medicaid Members

    US Health department will analyze data from autistic Medicare, Medicaid enrollees, RFK Jr. says
    Up next
    Woman who killed toddler with tire iron headed to prison
    Woman Sentenced to Prison for Killing Toddler with a Tire Iron
    Published on 07 May 2025
    Author
    Internewscast
    Tags
    • analyze,
    • autistic,
    • Data,
    • department,
    • Donald Trump,
    • enrollees,
    • from,
    • health,
    • Helen Tager-Flusberg,
    • Medicaid,
    • Medicare,
    • Politics,
    • RFK,
    • Robert F. Kennedy Jr,
    • says,
    • U.S. news,
    • Washington news,
    • will
    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest

    WASHINGTON – Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has unveiled a plan that seeks to utilize medical data from Medicaid and Medicare recipients to research autism. However, experts remain skeptical about the plan’s ability to uncover the root causes of the condition.

    This initiative will establish a data sharing agreement between the National Institutes of Health, the nation’s health research body, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which maintains claims data for almost 150 million Americans nationwide.

    “We’re using this partnership to uncover the root causes of autism and other chronic diseases,” Kennedy said in a statement.

    According to the HHS statement, the agreement will adhere to privacy laws to safeguard Americans’ sensitive health information. The health department declined to provide further details about the program.

    Using the data, the agency said researchers will focus on autism diagnosis trends, health outcomes from medical or behavioral outcomes, access to care based on demographics and geography as well the economic burden of autism on families and health care systems.

    The problem is that this isn’t the kind of data needed to answer questions about autism’s causes, said Helen Tager-Flusberg, professor emerita at Boston University who leads a new Coalition of Autism Scientists pushing back on Kennedy’s characterizations of the condition.

    “Enough research has been done at this point to know there is no simple magic bullet,” she said, cautioning that this type of dataset won’t help with the type of research most needed — into genetics and other prenatal, preconception and early infancy factors.

    Kennedy has directed the health department to undertake a far-reaching research effort to identify the causes of autism, a complex disorder that impacts the brain. Announcing his plans last month, Kennedy said he plans to provide answers as to what causes autism by September. He has since said the department will determine at least “some” of the causes.

    His research directive comes as autism rates in the U.S. are rising, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention releasing a report that an estimated 1 in 31 U.S. children have autism, a marked increase from 2020. Scientists and researchers who study autism have said that increase in diagnoses is the result of increased awareness about the disorder, especially among people who exhibit milder symptoms of autism.

    Kennedy has rejected that explanation in public appearances, instead describing autism as a “preventable disease” that is caused by environmental factors.

    Autism is not considered a disease but a complex brain disorder. Those who have spent decades researching autism have found no single cause, although genetic factors are associated with it. In addition to genetics, scientists have identified various possible factors, including the age of a child’s father, the mother’s weight and whether she had diabetes or was exposed to certain chemicals.

    Kennedy’s comments have sparked alarm among autism researchers, who fear he will use the study to support a discredited theory that vaccines cause autism. Kennedy, a longtime vaccine critic has pushed that theory before, although decades of research has found no link between vaccines and autism. President Donald Trump has also suggested that vaccines could be to blame for autism rates.

    The new platform that HHS plans to launch around autism will be a “pilot,” that will be used to study chronic conditions and treatments, the agency said.

    Associated Press writer Lauran Neergaard contributed reporting.

    Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest
    You May Also Like
    Colorado wildlife officials warn of moose attacks
    • Local news

    Colorado Advises Public of Increasing Moose Encounters

    (WOODLAND PARK, Colo.) Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is reminding the community…
    • Internewscast
    • May 29, 2025
    Deondray Donovan
    • Local news

    Third Suspect Apprehended in July 2024 Murder Case of Wrens Teenager

    WRENS, Ga. () – A 3rd suspect was taken into custody in…
    • Internewscast
    • May 29, 2025
    Stillborn infant from Dallas found in Shreveport laundry shipment
    • Local news

    A stillborn baby from Dallas discovered in a shipment of laundry sent to Shreveport

    Authorities are investigating how an embalmed infant from Dallas ended up in…
    • Internewscast
    • May 30, 2025
    Elon Musk is leaving the Trump administration after criticizing president's 'big beautiful bill'
    • Local news

    Elon Musk Departs Trump Administration After Criticizing President’s Highly Praised Legislation

    WASHINGTON (AP) — Elon Musk is stepping down from his role as…
    • Internewscast
    • May 29, 2025
    Live updates: Israel OKs more settlements in the West Bank as Gaza strikes kill at least 13
    • Local news

    Real-time News: Israel Approves Additional West Bank Settlements Amid Gaza Strikes Resulting in 13 Deaths

    On Thursday, Israel revealed its plan to establish 22 Jewish settlements in…
    • Internewscast
    • May 29, 2025
    'I screamed': Woman, toddler suffer 3rd-degree burns from charcoal buried in sand
    • Local news

    “Terrifying Incident: Woman and Toddler Sustain Severe Burns from Hidden Charcoal in Sand”

    In Tampa, Florida, a mother from Hillsborough County shares a story that…
    • Internewscast
    • May 30, 2025
    Judge sides with Harvard against Trump visa block
    • Local news

    Harvard Wins Legal Battle Against Trump’s Visa Restrictions

    A federal judge in Boston granted a preliminary injunction on Thursday to…
    • Internewscast
    • May 29, 2025
    WILD CHASE: Police pursuit, PIT maneuvers leads to man’s arrest in Marion County
    • Local news

    Intense Chase: Police Use PIT Maneuvers to Arrest Man in Marion County

    MARION COUNTY, Fla. – Deputies from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office released…
    • Internewscast
    • May 29, 2025
    Former Monticello police officer gets 36 years for child pornography
    • Local news

    Ex-Monticello Police Officer Sentenced to 36 Years for Child Pornography Charges

    A former police officer from Monticello, Illinois, has been sentenced to over…
    • Internewscast
    • May 29, 2025
    Homeowner believes heavy damage to home is result of TikTok trend
    • Local news

    Homeowner Suspects TikTok Trend Behind Major Home Damage

    DENVER (KDVR) Video from a Ring doorbell camera in the Sloan’s Lake…
    • Internewscast
    • May 29, 2025
    Russia sanctions in limbo as GOP defers to Trump
    • Local news

    GOP Pauses Action on Russia Sanctions, Awaiting Trump’s Lead

    A bipartisan initiative aimed at imposing stringent sanctions on Russia has garnered…
    • Internewscast
    • May 29, 2025
    Stocks and U.S. dollar rally as Trump tariffs hit court roadblock
    • Local news

    U.S. Dollar and Stock Market Surge After Trump Tariffs Face Legal Hurdle

    SYDNEY — In Asian markets on Thursday, shares and Wall Street futures…
    • Internewscast
    • May 29, 2025
    I'm in love with the much younger man I dog sit for
    • US

    Falling for the Younger Man I Dog Sit For

    DEAR ABBY: A man I know has been married for four decades.…
    • Internewscast
    • May 30, 2025

    Pilot Adopts Cat After Incredible Survival from 400-Foot Fall in Utah Canyon

    KANAB, Utah (ABC4) — The senior cat who survived a near 400-foot fall…
    • Internewscast
    • May 30, 2025
    Illegal aliens arrested in death of Air Force cadet candidate had suitcases packed: report
    • US

    Undocumented Immigrants Arrested in Connection to Air Force Cadet’s Death Reportedly Had Suitcases Packed

    Packed suitcases were found during the arrests of two illegal aliens charged…
    • Internewscast
    • May 30, 2025
    • Food For Soul

    Rhapsody Of Realities 30 May 2025 – Equipped And Endued With Divine Ability

    Rhapsody Of Realities 30 May 2025 By Pastor Chris Oyakhilome (Christ Embassy)…
    • Internewscast
    • May 30, 2025
    Internewscast Journal
    • Home
    • Privacy Policy
    • DMCA Notice
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Guest Post
    • Support Our Cause
    Copyright 2023. All Right Reserverd.