iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
On Tuesday, March 25, the U.S. Senate confirmed Jay Bhattacharya, an Indian-origin professor at Stanford School of Medicine, as the new Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The confirmation came after a narrow vote of 53-47 during the roll call vote in the 119th Congress.
Bhattacharya, a prominent health policy expert, has a distinguished career, serving as a professor at Stanford University and holding senior fellowships at several prestigious Stanford institutions.
His research focuses on health policy, biomedical innovation, and the economics of health, and he directs the Stanford Centre for Demography and Economics of Health and Ageing.
Bhattacharya is also known for his role as a co-author of the Great Barrington Declaration, which proposed an alternative to lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. His peer-reviewed research has been widely published in fields including economics, public health, and medical journals, making him a well-respected figure in health policy circles.
In his new role at NIH, Bhattacharya will work closely with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was recently confirmed as the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. Together, they aim to restore NIH to its “Gold Standard of Medical Research”.
Senator Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, congratulated Bhattacharya following his confirmation, expressing confidence in his ability to lead the NIH with sound judgment and extensive medical research experience.
Voted today to confirm Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health. With an extensive background in medical research, I expect @DrJBhattacharya to provide sound leadership at the @NIH. pic.twitter.com/R9E2NSBPj1
— U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (@SenMcConnell) March 25, 2025
Bhattacharya’s confirmation comes amid growing debates about the future direction of U.S. health policy, with his appointment marking a significant moment in the ongoing reshaping of the nation’s health leadership.
(Photo courtesy: x.com/Jon_Hartley_)
