On Wednesday, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. revealed a collaborative effort between Jay Bhattacharya’s National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Dr. Mehmet Oz’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Their joint project aims to explore the “root causes” of autism. However, this initiative is broader than it initially appears—a fact not emphasized by mainstream media. More details on that shortly.

The NIH and CMS issued a shared statement clarifying that the collaboration will initially prioritize research on the underlying causes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Over time, the project will integrate real-world data for studies on chronic conditions, doing so in compliance with privacy laws to protect sensitive health information. This is a primary focus for President Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Jay Bhattacharya, who leads the NIH, expressed that this partnership with CMS will pave the way for groundbreaking research into the intricate factors contributing to autism and chronic diseases, with the goal of providing better health outcomes for Americans.

NIH & @CMSGov are partnering to advance understanding of autism. This partnership will enable NIH to build a secure real-world data platform enabling advanced research across claims data, electronic medical records, & consumer wearables. https://t.co/QkoPmDnngR

— NIH (@NIH) May 7, 2025

“This joint effort aligns with our shared goal of fostering innovation to improve Americans’ lives while safeguarding patient privacy,” CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz chimed in about the project. “I look forward to working with Dr. Bhattacharya on this critical project.”

Kennedy said this could “uncover the root causes of autism and other chronic diseases,” adding that the ultimate goal is “to deliver the honest answers families have waited far too long to hear.”

The HHS announcement comes the same day that President Trump announced that MAGA-aligned, holistic health advocate/author and practitioner, Dr. Casey Means, will be his new nominee for surgeon general, after the president pulled the nomination for Dr. Janette Nesheiwat.