Several weeks ago, I had discussed here Dr. Jay Bhattacharya and posted an interview he had recently given. This evening, it was announced he will be Trump’s NIH director.
Trump’s nominations thus far have been a mixed bag in my opinion. However, this was a great pick. Remain mindful that the NIH is a research agency that doles out grants. It is not a public health agency designed to respond to pandemics. And from a constitutional standpoint, it is an agency that ought not even exist.
But we learned during the pandemic it has enormous power. The academic medical centers are intensely afraid of contradicting those who run the NIH; and found themselves completely corrupted during Covid.
However, Dr. Bhattacharya is one of the great heroes of the pandemic and will bring a much better approach to the agency:
I am honored and humbled by President @realDonaldTrump's nomination of me to be the next @NIH director. We will reform American scientific institutions so that they are worthy of trust again and will deploy the fruits of excellent science to make America healthy again! https://t.co/FrLmYznhfw
— Jay Bhattacharya (@DrJBhattacharya) November 27, 2024
You are right on. Dr. Bhattacharya is a great. Some of his other choices no so.
This was an inspired pick, Fred, because it is obvious he is devoted to scientific integrity. I guess we shall see what changes he brings.