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RFK Jr.'s $50M autism initiative sparks hope and skepticism

RFK Jr.'s $50M autism initiative sparks hope and skepticism

Boston Globe3 days ago
But researchers are also hopeful that such a financial windfall may generate new insights into the causes of a complex condition that affects millions of children in the United States. The number of children diagnosed with autism, which affects how people communicate and interact with the world, continues to rise. The
The increased prevalence is attributed to improved access to screening, the CDC has said.
'This [initiative] is an opportunity to supercharge what we are doing,' said
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'If we get the money,' Rubenstein said, 'I think we can do a lot of what the [National Institutes of Health] wants us to do, but then we'll have this resource that we can look at outcomes of particular interest … to support the autism community.'
When Kennedy first made his pledge in April to determine the causes of autism, researchers worried it could undermine decades of science by promoting discredited theories linking vaccines to autism.
The
The initiative's guidelines do not specifically list vaccines as a potential nongenetic factor to be studied, but do include pharmaceutical exposure as one possible influence.
Often, researchers face hurdles trying to combine different large databases because of incompatible formats.
BU scientist,
Her proposed mega-dataset would combine census data, including median income, along with other sources, such as proximity to health care and autism specialists in different communities, to see if there are common trends.
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'A big part of this application is to not only see if we ... answer questions, but also figure out where the gaps are in research,' Dukes said.
She, however, has reservations that the data she provides might be misconstrued by people who oppose vaccines.
'But that can happen anywhere,' Dukes said. 'I hope good science, in this case, wins.'
Between 10 and 25 grants are expected to be awarded, with most not expected to exceed $5 million for each two- or three-year project, according to the NIH's guidelines. By comparison, the most common NIH grant typically averages a fraction of that amount,
A
It also expressed concern that NIH staff, under the initiative's guidelines, will be involved in the grant review process itself and have far greater involvement in the execution of the funded projects than is standard.
The process, it said in a statement, 'lacks transparency in the awarding and execution of the research to be conducted.'
Still, Rubenstein, from BU, said the larger grants would give him a chance to amass more data than he is able with much smaller NIH awards.
His proposal aims to create a massive dataset combining health insurance claims from Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurers, along with census data to, for instance, provide researchers with a clearer picture of autism's prevalence by Zip code. That may help shed more light on the link between environmental exposures and autism.
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Lee has found that some medications taken during pregnancy,
'The way that science had been done before by myself and everyone else is, we looked at suspect medications one at a time, or a handful of drugs,' he said.
'It's a great opportunity to do work in this area. I think everyone, regardless of political affiliation, is interested in the health and well-being of our children and our population,' Lee said. 'Hopefully, some good will come of this funding opportunity.'
Mriganka Sur, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and director of the
'I do remain worried and even a little skeptical of the goals of this,' said Sur, who turned down an NIH request to review the grant applications because data science is not his expertise.
But, he added, 'it behooves us to support things that can lead to good science. And, as of now, it is possible, even likely, that some good work will come out of this.'
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Kay Lazar can be reached at
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Planned Parenthood closes 5 Northern California clinics, citing Trump budget bill
Planned Parenthood closes 5 Northern California clinics, citing Trump budget bill

San Francisco Chronicle​

time22 minutes ago

  • San Francisco Chronicle​

Planned Parenthood closes 5 Northern California clinics, citing Trump budget bill

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Primus Sounds Alarm on Chronic Venous Insufficiency as President Trump's Diagnosis Sparks National Focus
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Primus Sounds Alarm on Chronic Venous Insufficiency as President Trump's Diagnosis Sparks National Focus

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Why Losing Your Health Insurance Is a Health Risk in Itself
Why Losing Your Health Insurance Is a Health Risk in Itself

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time3 hours ago

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July 24, 2025 – Health insurance is in the spotlight these days, especially the risk of losing it. The recently passed federal budget bill that includes significant Medicaid cuts is projected to leave millions uninsured over the next decade. An additional 4.2 million Affordable Care Act enrollees may be priced out, as premiums are expected to rise sharply for next year. But here's what you may not have heard: Tens of millions of Americans – about 7.6% of the population, according to the most recent data – already lack insurance, whether they've lost their job, can't afford a health plan, or have trouble signing up. Losing insurance doesn't just pose a financial burden – research shows it can directly harm your health. Fortunately, there's a lot you can do right now to protect both your health and your coverage. How Losing Insurance Hurts Your Health "When people don't have insurance, they stop seeking regular health care," said Joel Shalowitz, MD, a retired professor at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. That's not just speculation. Research shows that when coverage disappears, people struggle to afford care and skip health services and medications. The upshot: fewer checkups, missed vaccinations, and gaps in treatment for chronic conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes – issues that can become serious problems if left unchecked. "Chronically ill individuals are going to be more at risk from health care cuts," said Adam Gaffney, MD, a public health expert at Harvard Medical School. But even the healthy face risks if they fall behind on preventive care. A study from the American Cancer Society found that disruptions in coverage led to fewer preventive services and screenings among participants. The findings for cancer patients were stark: Those with gaps in Medicaid coverage were more likely to have advanced stages of disease and die earlier, compared with those who remained covered – demonstrating the life-or-death consequences of coverage loss. New mothers can face serious outcomes too: In a 2024 study, those who lost insurance were 19% less likely to attend postpartum visits and 14% less likely to be screened for postpartum depression – an oversight with serious mental health impacts for both mothers and their children, as a wide body of research shows. How to Protect Your Health and Your Coverage If you have coverage now, don't put off preventive care, said Shalowitz. Stay up to date on mammograms, colonoscopies, Pap smears, and other routine screenings. Likewise, schedule appointments you've been putting off, and refill your prescriptions. That will help head off the possibility of health problems during an uninsured period – but keep in mind, it's no guarantee. "At the end of the day, health is ultimately unpredictable," Gaffney said. "None of us know when the next problem is coming down the pike at us, and that's why we need lifelong, seamless coverage, because health problems are something everyone will ultimately face." Consider these steps: If you're on Medicaid … What to do: Stay in touch with your state Medicaid agency. "The biggest provision that's going to impact people with Medicaid is the [introduction of] work requirements," said Gaffney. By 2027, many on Medicaid will need to prove they've completed 80 hours of work or community service per month, or that they've attended school. Some will lose coverage if they don't comply. "But it will very likely sweep in many, many people who are in compliance but struggle to meet the administrative burden to prove they're in compliance," said Elizabeth Kaplan, JD, director of health care access at Harvard Law's Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation. "Individuals with Medicaid are going to have to be really careful not to miss any communications from their states," she said. So make sure your state Medicaid agency (and Medicaid managed care organization, if you have one) has your up-to-date contact information. Respond promptly to notices regarding actions to maintain your insurance. What documents might your state require? We may not know for sure for another year. In Georgia, which already has similar requirements, beneficiaries are asked to submit work pay stubs or signed letters on official letterhead from organizations where they volunteer. If you're on Medicare … What to do: Follow the news, stay informed, and check your Part D plan costs during annual enrollment. The new bill didn't introduce major cuts to Medicare, but recipients may still see indirect impacts in the coming years. That's because the new law raises the deficit, triggering sequestration rules, or automatic spending cuts, said Gaffney. That could lead to $500 billion in Medicare cuts over the next decade, unless Congress acts to stop it. If you're on Medicare and Medicaid, you may be affected sooner. While the new Medicaid work requirements may not apply to you, the law's other Medicaid provisions could – like cuts to state funding or new cost-sharing for services. Because Medicaid helps offset out-of-pocket costs for many on Medicare, losing it could render care and prescription drugs unaffordable, he said. One thing you can do is maximize your Medicare coverage without overpaying. Shalowitz recommends reviewing prescription coverage (Medicare Part D) options annually, even if you auto-renew. The reason: Your health status and medications can change, so the plan you had last year might not be the most cost-effective option now. Plus, "a lot of plans will give a lower rate one year to get you to sign up, and then they'll increase it dramatically the next year," he said. 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The downstream effects could hit your paycheck in 2027 and beyond. To offset the free care they provide, hospitals will probably charge private insurers higher rates for services, said Shalowitz. That could mean higher premiums for employers – which in turn could mean higher premiums for you if your employer asks you to kick in more each month to cover the cost. Your moves: Stay informed, use preventive care, and reach out to elected officials if you're concerned. Your voice can help shape how these changes unfold, the experts agreed. If you don't have insurance … What to do: Take advantage of free clinics. These facilities, which are often funded through government grants, funds from community and private foundations, or donor support, provide care for people who are uninsured or underinsured. Check the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics' searchable directory of clinics across the country and the Health Resources and Services Administration's list of its funded health centers.

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