Story perspectives

HHS Requests Records for Modernization, Not Autism Probe

6/5/2026

Summary

Story summary

HHS says request aims to modernize systems, not probe a vaccine-autism link.
The agency seeks citizens’ medical records under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s agenda to monitor childhood disease drivers.
Officials state the effort will not create a patient database and is funded by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) programs.
Scientists and autism advocates remain skeptical, noting Kennedy’s deadline to identify causes has passed and issue is complex.

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Story summary

HHS says request aims to modernize systems, not probe a vaccine-autism link.
The agency seeks citizens’ medical records under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s agenda to monitor childhood disease drivers.
Officials state the effort will not create a patient database and is funded by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) programs.
Scientists and autism advocates remain skeptical, noting Kennedy’s deadline to identify causes has passed and issue is complex.