Senate Confirms Bhattacharya as NIH Director

Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a Stanford health economist and prominent critic of COVID-19 policies, has been confirmed by the Senate as the new director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by a 53-47 party-line vote. Known for his role in the Great Barrington Declaration, which opposed lockdowns and advocated for herd immunity, Bhattacharya aims to reform NIH funding practices and foster scientific dissent. Despite recent administrative challenges and budget cuts at NIH, Bhattacharya has expressed intentions to investigate their impacts and maintain transparency in funding. His appointment marks a significant shift from previous NIH leadership, as he intends to support scientific debate even on controversial topics. This confirmation is part of broader administrative changes under the Trump administration, which has also nominated new leaders for the FDA and CMS. Bhattacharya's leadership will focus on chronic disease research and promoting a culture of free speech within the agency.