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NewsThe GuardianMay 3, 2026United States

Report Criticizes HHS Leadership for Autism Policy and Misinformation

A new report from disability advocacy groups alleges that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has spread medical misinformation and implemented policies detrimental to the autistic community. The report calls for Congressional oversight hearings to investigate HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his administration's actions over the past year.

public healthautismmisinformationHHSvaccinesoversight
Read the full story at The Guardian

Why It Matters

The report documents specific federal policy changes, including a $31 million reduction in autism research funding and the removal of FDA safety warnings, which directly impact the resources and information available to the autistic community.

Key Facts

  • The report alleges a $31 million reduction in federal autism research funding.
  • HHS replaced all members of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) with new advisers.
  • The FDA removed warnings about unproven autism treatments from its official website.
  • The administration closed the office responsible for managing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
  • HHS officials publicly linked acetaminophen (Tylenol) use during pregnancy to autism, despite scientific research suggesting no link.
  • HHS officials promoted leucovorin as an autism treatment, though the FDA has only approved it for folate deficiency.
  • The CDC announced the creation of a national autism registry.
  • The FDA plans to update acetaminophen safety labels to include warnings regarding prenatal exposure and child development.
  • The IACC meeting scheduled for March was postponed and rescheduled for a later date.
  • Secretary Kennedy suggested in budget hearings that home health aides might be defrauding the government by performing tasks previously done by family members for free.

Who's Mentioned

organizationUS Food and Drug Administration“Federal agency responsible for food and drug safety”dollar_amount$31m“Amount of autism research funding reportedly cut”organizationInteragency Autism Coordinating Committee“Federal committee focused on autism research”personRobert F. Kennedy Jr.“Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)”personJay Bhattacharya“Acting director of the CDC”organizationAutistic Self Advocacy Network“Co-author of the report”organizationAmerican Association of People with Disabilities“Co-author of the report”