Calls on Congress to Launch Bipartisan Scientific Inquiry into ADHD Policy and Care

ARLINGTON, VA — The Society for ADHD and Co-Occurring Conditions (The Society) has released a powerful op-ed from its President and CEO, Tanya Murphy. This response comes in direct reaction to the Trump Administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) Report, issued on May 22 by Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Murphy describes the MAHA Report as “a manifesto of misinformation, fueled more by ideology than evidence, and more likely to mislead than to heal.” In her op-ed, titled Why the MAHA Report Is a Threat to Science, Health Equity, and Every Family Seeking Answers, Murphy warns that the report’s claims, particularly regarding Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), represent a dangerous rollback of science-backed health care. This is especially concerning for underserved populations and those diagnosed later in life.

“Let me be clear: this is not a public health plan,” says Murphy. “It is a dangerous attempt to undermine decades of scientific research, vilify medical professionals, and stigmatize millions of Americans, especially those living with ADHD.”

Key Concerns Raised by The Society

The Society is particularly concerned about several items published in this report:

• Promotion of debunked theories linking ADHD to poor parenting and lifestyle choices.

• Dismissal of ADHD medications as overprescribed and ineffective, despite decades of peer-reviewed research proving otherwise.

• Minimization of adult ADHD, which disproportionately affects individuals diagnosed later in life, especially women and people of color.

• Failure to include medical experts, clinical researchers, or community voices in its authorship or review process.

  
  

Murphy and The Society are calling on Congress to reject the MAHA Report’s conclusions. They urge the formation of a new, science-based task force to review the existing evidence on ADHD and other neurodevelopmental conditions. This task force should build on that evidence where needed. It is essential that this group includes physicians, researchers, mental health professionals, and lived-experience advocates. This will ensure that future federal guidance reflects medical consensus and real-world needs.

The Mission of The Society for ADHD

The Society for ADHD and Co-Occurring Conditions was founded to advocate for evidence-based care, combat stigma, and expand access to diagnosis and treatment for marginalized and underserved communities. Its leadership includes clinicians, policy experts, and grassroots advocates working to improve the quality of life for the millions of people living with ADHD.

“To RFK Jr. and the administration officials who allowed this report to be released under the banner of public health,” Murphy adds, “the ADHD community is watching. And we will not let you rewrite our reality.”

About The Society for ADHD and Co-Occurring Conditions

The Society for ADHD and Co-Occurring Conditions is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals and families affected by Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder through advocacy, education, and community support. Founded with a mission to dismantle stigma, promote equitable access to care, and amplify the lived experiences of those navigating ADHD, particularly in historically underserved communities, the Society offers programs, resources, and public policy leadership that center inclusion, science, and compassion.

We reject deficit-based thinking and instead celebrate neurodiversity as a source of strength, resilience, and creativity. Through grassroots action, expert-informed initiatives, and a growing national network of members and allies, the Society is building a future where all people with ADHD are recognized, supported, and empowered to thrive.

About Tanya Murphy; CBTAC, MBSRP

Tanya Murphy is the President and CEO of the Society for ADHD and Co-Occurring Conditions. She is a national leader in advancing equity, education, and access in the field of neurodiversity. A tireless advocate and organizational strategist, Tanya is a woman with late-diagnosed ADHD and a mother of neurodivergent children. She brings both professional expertise and deeply personal insight to her work.

With a background in nonprofit leadership and public engagement, Tanya has spent over a decade building programs that empower marginalized communities. She promotes culturally competent care and challenges the systemic barriers facing individuals with ADHD, especially those diagnosed later in life or navigating intersecting conditions. Tanya founded the Society as a bold reimagining of what advocacy should look like: inclusive, evidence-based, and rooted in lived experience. Under her leadership, the Society is emerging as a national force for truth, dignity, and transformation in how we understand and support the ADHD community.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

The Society urges all stakeholders to join in this crucial conversation. We must stand together to ensure that ADHD is treated with the respect and seriousness it deserves. We can no longer allow misinformation to dictate the narrative surrounding ADHD. Together, we can advocate for policies that are grounded in science and compassion.

Let us unite in our efforts to dismantle stigma and promote equitable access to care. It is time to elevate the voices of those who have been historically marginalized. We must ensure that every individual with ADHD is recognized, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Attached:

• Full Op-Ed: Why the MAHA Report Is a Threat to Science, Health Equity, and Every Family Seeking Answers