Luján Leads Colleagues Demanding Secretary Kennedy Reverse Changes to CDC and FDA Websites that Promote False and Dangerous Information About Autism

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) led 12 senators in a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. demanding a reversal of changes to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) websites that promote false and dangerous information about autism and put Americans' health at risk. In recent months, at the direction of Secretary Kennedy, the CDC and FDA websites have undergone dangerous changes that now include false information suggesting a link between vaccines and autism and have removed warnings about unapproved and potentially dangerous products and therapies falsely marketed as treatments for autism.

"Using the power of public health agencies to promote an ideology that will put children at risk and is simply unacceptable," wrote the Senators.

"Rather than focus on ensuring families have accurate information, you and others in the Trump administration have chosen to promote unproven drugs like leucovorin, a known cancer medication, for the treatment of autism," continued the Senators.

"These actions are yet another example of your attempts to undermine science and put Americans' health at risk. The American people deserve better. We demand that you provide accurate medical information and reverse the changes to CDC and FDA's websites immediately," concluded the Senators.

In addition to Senator Luján, the letter was signed by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Reverand Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

The text of the letter is here and below:

Dear Secretary Kennedy:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently changed the information on their websites related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This comes after multiple actions by you and others in the Trump administration to promote unproven ASD treatments and use agency resources to perpetuate false information linking vaccines and autism. Using the power of public health agencies to promote an ideology that will put children at risk and is simply unacceptable.

At your direction, the CDC changed its website, "Autism and Vaccines," to include false information suggesting a link between vaccines and autism. These changes masked in scientific language are dangerous and deceptive. The website declares that "the statement 'Vaccines do not cause autism' is not an evidence-based claim" and goes so far as to accuse health authorities of "ignor[ing]" evidence to the contrary, both of which are demonstrably false. It was reported that these changes were not made by scientists and public health experts at CDC but rather by political appointees at HHS at your specific direction. This level of political overreach to change scientific information to reflect conspiracy theories is dangerous and puts Americans' health at risk.

Additionally, the FDA removed a longstanding informational webpage that warned consumers about unapproved and potentially dangerous products and therapies falsely marketed as treatments for autism. The deleted page, titled "Be Aware of Potentially Dangerous Products and Therapies that Claim to Treat Autism," had explained that there is no cure for autism, outlined evidence-based treatments for symptoms, and listed a variety of examples of bogus interventions such as chelation and other unapproved remedies that can pose serious health risks. Its removal is incredibly concerning as it eliminates a clear, science-based resource aimed at protecting patients from misinformation and unsafe practices, raising questions about your commitment to accurate and transparent public health guidance amid broader debates over health communication at FDA and CDC.

Rather than focus on ensuring families have accurate information, you and others in the Trump administration have chosen to promote unproven drugs like leucovorin, a known cancer medication, for the treatment of autism. You even went so far as to direct the manufacturer to submit a new supplemental application to expand the label of this drug, despite the lack of scientific evidence historically required for such a change. Several researchers have raised concerns about the dangers of expanding leucovorin for use among individuals with autism spectrum disorder and just yesterday, the FDA backed down from expanding its approval for autism. Despite the FDA relying on a systematic review of the literature yielding the strongest data supporting this conclusion, the Trump Administration's rhetoric about the promise of leucovorin for people with autism resulted in doctors being inundated with calls and requests from parents seeking prescriptions. Making these claims without sufficient large-scale studies and evidence studying its long-term effects, misleads millions of families, gives false hope, and puts children in significant danger.

These actions are yet another example of your attempts to undermine science and put Americans' health at risk. The American people deserve better. We demand that you provide accurate medical information and reverse the changes to CDC and FDA's websites immediately.

Sincerely,

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