President Trump’s pick to lead the National Institutes of Health (NIH) faced questions from senators Wednesday on his plans for vaccine research, ideas for pushing down drug prices, and response to recent firings and funding cuts at the agency.
Jay Bhattacharya appeared before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee for his confirmation hearing, with Trump’s pick to lead the Food and Drug Administration, Marty Makary, set to be grilled on Thursday.
Bhattacharya is a Stanford University health researcher and economist who made headlines as a leading critic of U.S. health agencies early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, criticizing lockdown orders and other measures meant to mitigate the spread of the virus.
He also spoke out in support of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after his nomination to be President Trump’s health secretary in November. “Kennedy is not a scientist, but his good faith calls for better…
