WASHINGTON — Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz announced a significant policy shift addressing autism, unveiling both new health guidance and expanded treatment options for families.

Dr. Oz cautioned expectant mothers about prolonged Tylenol use during pregnancy, citing growing evidence of a potential link to autism.

“We know that people who take Tylenol for prolonged periods of time during pregnancy seem to have a higher instance of autism in aggregate,” he explained. “The message is not never take Tylenol — it’s take Tylenol judiciously. Take it by talking with your doctor. Make sure there’s an important reason to take it.”

In addition, Dr. Oz revealed that CMS will now make prescription leucovorin available as a therapeutic for autism-related symptoms.

“This is a huge step forward for research into treatments for autism — but more importantly, it’s HOPE for families who, until now, have had very limited options,” he said.

The announcement marks one of the most concrete federal efforts to directly address autism treatment, signaling a shift toward both prevention awareness and therapeutic innovation. Families, advocacy groups, and medical experts are expected to closely follow the rollout of these new measures.