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Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a plan to use Medicaid and Medicare data to study autism, despite experts' doubts about its effectiveness in identifying root causes. The initiative, a partnership between NIH and CMS, will analyze diagnosis trends, treatment outcomes, and access to care. However, leading autism researchers argue that this data is insufficient to uncover the condition's origins, emphasizing the need for genetic and prenatal research. Kennedy maintains autism is preventable and caused by environmental factors, a view disputed by the scientific community. This pilot program will also explore other chronic conditions.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.