HHS Secretary RFK Jr. Launches Autism Database with Medicare, Medicaid Data, NIH-CMS Partnership, Cuts Waste

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced the creation of a national autism database utilizing Medicare and Medicaid records. This initiative aims to uncover the root causes of autism by analyzing comprehensive medical data, including claims data, electronic medical records, and consumer wearable information.

Kennedy emphasized that the project will focus on cutting waste, fraud, and abuse within the agency, which grew by 38% during President Biden's administration, without eliminating any critical research or programs. The database will be voluntary and modeled after existing disease registries, ensuring compliance with privacy standards. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have partnered to build a secure real-world data platform to advance autism research. Kennedy expressed confidence that the project will yield definitive answers about autism causes within a year, enabling the elimination of harmful exposures. The initiative is part of Kennedy's broader "Make America Healthy Again" platform, which has drawn attention to national dietary and lifestyle concerns.