HHS Debars EcoHealth Alliance, Peter Daszak From Federal Funding

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has formally debarred EcoHealth Alliance and its former president, Dr. Peter Daszak, from receiving federal funds for five years due to their failure to report dangerous gain-of-function research conducted at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. This debarment follows an eight-month investigation by the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, which uncovered evidence of repeated violations of grant requirements by Daszak and EcoHealth. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer labeled the debarment as 'justice for the American people,' emphasizing the need for accountability regarding the use of taxpayer dollars. The investigation revealed that EcoHealth submitted required reports late and ignored government oversight requests, raising concerns about U.S. national security. HHS stated that the actions taken were necessary to protect federal interests, leading to EcoHealth's termination of Daszak's employment earlier this year. Critics have called for further investigations into the broader implications surrounding the funding and oversight of such research.