1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

The creation of a national autism database using Medicare, Medicaid, and private health data raises significant privacy concerns that must be addressed. Compiling sensitive medical information without robust safeguards poses risks of misuse and discrimination against autistic individuals. While research is important, it cannot come at the expense of violating fundamental civil liberties and patient confidentiality. This database threatens to undermine medical privacy rights that have long been protected. Any such effort must prioritize strict privacy protocols and obtain informed consent from participants. Proceeding without these essential protections would be an unacceptable violation of trust between patients and the medical system. I urge you to reconsider this proposal and instead explore alternative research methods that do not compromise privacy and autonomy. Protecting vulnerable communities must be the top priority.