Hickenlooper, Bennet Demand Secretary Kennedy Reverse Changes to CDC and FDA Websites that Promote False Information About Autism

Measles cases in U.S. topped 1,200, predominantly in unvaccinated children

Colorado currently has 11 reported measles cases

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper, Michael Bennet, and 11 of their Senate colleagues recently sent a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to demand the department reverse 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. In recent months, Secretary Kennedy directed the CDC to change its website to include false information suggesting a link between vaccines and autism. Secretary Kennedy also directed the FDA to remove warnings from its website 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," they continued.

"The American people deserve better. We demand that you provide accurate medical information and reverse the changes to CDC and FDA's websites immediately," the senators concluded.

Hickenlooper and Bennet both voted no on RFK Jr.'s nomination. Hickenlooper has been a fierce critic of the admin's senseless attacks on American science. He called out RFK Jr.'s latest efforts to undermine Americans' access to safe vaccines, helped launch an investigation into RFK Jr.'s decision to replace the ACIP experts, raised alarm about the mass firings at HHS, and demanded answers on how the firing of IVF researchers at the CDC will impact families seeking fertility treatment.

Earlier this year, he also questioned RFK Jr. on his public anti-science views and plans regarding transparency in NIH studies during RFK Jr. 's HELP confirmation hearing. Hickenlooper voted no on RFK Jr. 's nomination.

Full text of the letter can be found 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.^[1] This level of political overreach to change scientific information to reflect conspiracy theories is dangerous and puts Americans' health at risk.^[2]

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.^[3] 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.^[4] 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.^[5]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,

^[1] CBS News, CDC website is changed to include false claim about autism and vaccines, (Nov. 20, 2025)https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cdc-website-change-vaccines-autism/

^[2] The New York Times, Kennedy Says He Told C.D.C. to Change Website's Language on Autism and Vaccines, (Nov. 21, 2025),

[3] Reuters, Why is leucovorin being considered as a treatment for autism?,https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/why-is-leucovorin-being-considered-an-autism-treatment-2025-09-22/

[4] Washington Post, FDA scales back vision for drug it touted as possible treatment for autism,https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/03/10/leucovorin-autism-fda-approval-trump/

^[5] Id.

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