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
    Yacht-sized passenger boat runs aground in high surf off Hawaii beach
    • Local news

    Large Passenger Vessel Stranded on Hawaiian Beach Due to Rough Waves

    HONOLULU – Over the weekend, a yacht-sized passenger boat ended up stranded…
    • Internewscast
    • August 10, 2025
    A circular metal container with a glowing cylinder inside.
    • Local news

    NASA Aims to Construct a Lunar Nuclear Reactor: Legal Insights

    (The Conversation) – The initial space race focused on national pride and…
    • Internewscast
    • August 11, 2025
    Advocates fear Trump's plans after directive for transparent college admissions data
    • Local news

    Advocates Worried About Trump’s Transparency Directive for College Admissions Data

    Some higher education advocates have long sought transparency in college admissions data,…
    • Internewscast
    • August 10, 2025
    4 things casinos have seen during the Las Vegas tourism downturn
    • Local news

    4 Observations Casinos Made During the Las Vegas Tourism Slump

    LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Concerns about the Las Vegas economy specifically, slow business…
    • Internewscast
    • August 10, 2025
    Central Florida back-to-school forecast includes rain gear
    • Local news

    Rain Gear Recommended in Central Florida’s Back-to-School Weather Forecast

    ORLANDO, Fla. – Sunday brought warm temperatures across central Florida, with highs…
    • Internewscast
    • August 11, 2025
    Paramount CEO lauds South Park creators for being ‘equal opportunity offenders’
    • Local news

    Paramount CEO Praises South Park Creators for Their Inclusive Satire

    (The Hill) — Paramount’s new CEO David Ellison praised “South Park” creators…
    • Internewscast
    • August 11, 2025
    THP: North Carolina man leads pursuit through Johnson, Sullivan counties
    • Local news

    NC Man Engages in High-Speed Chase Across Johnson and Sullivan Counties

    In Sullivan County, Tenn. (WJHL) — The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) disclosed…
    • Internewscast
    • August 11, 2025
    $216K in rare Chinese manuscripts dating to 13th century stolen from UCLA
    • Local news

    Rare 13th-Century Chinese Manuscripts Valued at $216K Stolen from UCLA

    (KTLA) A 38-year-old man from the Bay Area, who went by at least…
    • Internewscast
    • August 11, 2025
    'I choose my destiny': Uncle of Ft. Stewart shooting suspect shares last text message
    • Local news

    ‘It’s My Choice’: Last Text Message Shared by Ft. Stewart Shooting Suspect’s Uncle

    FORT STEWART, Ga. (WSAV) — The family of Sgt. Quornelius Radford, the…
    • Internewscast
    • August 10, 2025

    Vandalism with Hateful Messages Found at Israeli-American Council Office in Los Angeles

    (KTLA) The national headquarters of the Israeli-American Council (IAC) in Woodland Hills, California,…
    • Internewscast
    • August 11, 2025
    Covenant Presbyterian Church unveils new inclusive playground
    • Local news

    Covenant Presbyterian Church Launches Inclusive New Playground

    AUGUSTA, Ga () – Covenant Presbyterian Church holding a special playground dedication…
    • Internewscast
    • August 10, 2025

    Dollywood Teases New Attraction Set for 2026 Debut

    PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WATE) — Dollywood visitors may have recently noticed some…
    • Internewscast
    • August 10, 2025
    Nephew fundraising for rescue team that found his aunt's remains
    • Local news

    Nephew Organizes Fundraiser for Rescue Team That Located His Aunt’s Body

    DENVER (KDVR) Late last year, the remains of a Colorado woman were…
    • Internewscast
    • August 11, 2025

    “Brilliant Fireball: Meteor Lights Up Victoria’s Sky as Experts Seek Impact Site”

    A blazing meteor lit up the skies over central Victoria on Sunday…
    • Internewscast
    • August 11, 2025
    Grandmother, 34, banned from driving after getting high on cannabis
    • News

    Young Grandmother, 34, Loses Driving Privileges After Using Cannabis

    A 34-year-old grandmother has been prohibited from driving for three years after…
    • Internewscast
    • August 11, 2025
    The animated film set to become Netflix's biggest ever hit
    • News

    The animated film poised to be Netflix’s all-time biggest hit

    The trio from the famed South Korean girl group Huntr/x are known…
    • Internewscast
    • August 11, 2025
    Internewscast Journal
    • Home
    • Privacy Policy
    • DMCA Notice
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Guest Post
    • Support Our Cause
    Copyright 2023. All Right Reserverd.