Washington, D.C., March 25, 2025: The U.S. Senate has confirmed Dr. Jay Bhattacharya as the 18th Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with a 53-47 vote. A professor at Stanford School of Medicine, Dr. Bhattacharya is widely recognized for his expertise in health policy and economics.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he co-authored the Great Barrington Declaration, advocating for focused protection instead of widespread lockdowns. His appointment has sparked mixed reactions, with supporters lauding his commitment to academic freedom, while critics raise concerns over his controversial pandemic-related views.
