5 Takeaways From Bhattacharya’s Hearing for NIH Head

Contact Your Elected Officials
The Epoch Times Header

The physician-researcher faced questions on funding, staffing, and research in his confirmation to lead the world’s largest health research organization.

Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, nominee for director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), proposed to transform the agency’s research and restore public trust in the institution at his confirmation hearing on March 5.

The physician and former Stanford University professor first drew public attention in 2020 for his criticism of COVID-19-era interventions such as mask mandates, lockdowns, and school closures.

Bhattacharya and others argued for “focused protection” of vulnerable people while allowing low-risk groups to resume normal activities.

He later sued the government, alleging that it pressured social media companies to censor his views.

President Donald Trump nominated Bhattacharya in November 2024 to lead NIH with its $50 billion budget and staff of more than 25,000.

Bhattacharya faced two hours of questions from the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Here are the major concerns voiced by lawmakers and how the nominee responded to them.

Restoring Trust

Subcommittee Chairman Bill Cassidy (R-La.) opened the session by pointing to what he called a widespread loss of trust in public health and scientific institutions.

“To restore that trust, officials need to be more transparent and provide reassurance that they are publishing health guidance that is best for Americans’ health and not biased in any way,” Cassidy said.

“What I have seen is that there’s tremendous distrust in medicine and science coming out of the pandemic.”

Bhattacharya said a key to restoring trust is to make NIH research more rigorous.

“NIH-supported science should be replicable, reproducible, and generalizable,” he said, recalling a recent research integrity scandal within the agency that called into question the validity of some studies on Alzheimer’s disease.

“NIH can and must solve the crisis of scientific data reliability.”

Wider Access to Funding, Broader Research Focus

NIH research grants are too narrowly concentrated on favored viewpoints and subject areas, according to Cassidy.

“The current system incentivizes established scientists who study already proven concepts rather than younger scientists who have unproven ideas with potential as major medical breakthroughs,” he said.

By Lawrence Wilson

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Deranged Democrat Rep. Jasmine Crockett Lacks Decorum

Texas Democrat House Representative Jasmine Crockett went too far in recent speaking engagement and she should be forced to resign from Congress.

Corrupted Medical Societies Push SSRIs For Pregnant Women in Defiance of FDA

A recent expert panel organized by the FDA cast doubt on the safety of SSRIs — even though these drugs are largely considered safe by healthcare providers.

The “Trump Bridge” Could Lead To Russia’s Expulsion From The South Caucasus

If agreed to, and the report remains unconfirmed for now, the “Trump Bridge” could lead to Russia’s expulsion from the South Caucasus.

Sweeney Swoon

Sydney Sweeney donned American Eagle jeans and hawked them as part the "Sydney's got great jeans" campaign, and the Left acted like she'd committed an atrocity.

Lay Democrats to Waste, Post Truths in Copy and Paste!

Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) humorously stated, “Our secret plan for dealing with the Democrats is called, ‘Operation: Let them speak.’”

FDA Ends Suspension of Chikungunya Vaccine, Adjusts Label

The FDA has lifted its hold on a vaccine against chikungunya, the agency announced on Aug. 6, as it adjusted the label for the shot.

Education Department Investigates Alleged Anti-Semitic Harassment in Baltimore City Public Schools

DOE investigating civil rights complaint against Baltimore City Public Schools, where Jewish students allegedly were subjected to discrimination and harassment.

US Households Owed an Average of $152,653 at the End of Q2 2025: Report

The average household in the US had $152,653 in debt by the end of the second quarter of 2025, WalletHub said in report.

DOJ to Expunge Employees’ COVID-19 Vaccination Records: Lawyers

The government has agreed to a settlement that involves expunging records showing the COVID-19 vaccination status of employees.

Trump Names Stephen Miran to Fill Vacant Seat on Federal Reserve Board

President Trump announced appt of Stephen Miran, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, to fill vacated seat on the Fed Reserve Board of Govs.

Trump Orders US Census Overhaul to Exclude Illegal Immigrants

President Trump has instructed the Dept of Commerce to work on a “new and highly accurate” census excluding individuals who are in the US illegally.

Musk’s Mandate for Public Servants to Report on ‘5 Things’ Accomplished Dropped by US Government

The ‘5 Things’ accomplished policy, which required federal workers to report on accomplishments every week was rescinded by the DOGE agency.

Trump Raises India Tariffs to 50 Percent Over Russian Oil Imports

Trump imposed additional 25% tariff on India, lifting total rate to 50%, as India’s government directly or indirectly imports Russian Federation oil.
spot_img

Related Articles