WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, delivered remarks during today’s confirmation hearing on the nomination of Dr. Jayanta Bhattacharya to be Director of the National Institutes of Health.
Click here to watch the hearing live.
Cassidy’s speech as prepared for delivery can be found below:
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions will please come to order.
Thank you, Dr. Bhattacharya, for appearing before the Committee.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funds more biomedical research than any other public institution in the world. NIH’s decades-long investments have helped the United States lead the world in addressing critical health challenges; helping us better understand heart disease, preventing and curing certain cancers just as examples. It has also led to significant accomplishments like mapping the human genome, which is the foundation of many medical breakthroughs. As a medical researcher who has engaged in NIH-sponsored research for decades, Dr. Bhattacharya understands the power of these investments.
Importantly, NIH grants have increased biomedical research capacities in states that otherwise would not have sufficient resources to invest. My state, Louisiana, has received roughly $500 million through NIH's Institutional Development Award program, or the IDeA program, allowing institutions to bring lifesaving cures and treatments to folks in my state and also around the world.
However, NIH has prioritized funding for risk-averse, incremental science. There is concern the current system incentivizes established scientists who study already proven concepts, rather than young scientists who have unproven ideas with potential as major medical breakthroughs. While this practice may ensure the short-term success of federal grants, it limits groundbreaking discoveries. I have discussed this with Dr. Bhattacharya previously, and look forward to hearing more today.
NIH is facing other serious challenges. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a general loss in 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, not biased in any way. Dr. Bhattacharya has indicated he wants to promote free and open debate at NIH, including among scientists who disagree. This is encouraging.
NIH is at an inflection point. If confirmed as NIH Director, you’ll be tasked with leading an agency that desperately needs reform. Last year, I released several proposals outlining ways to modernize NIH and improve operations to better serve the American taxpayer. I look forward to hearing your vision today and working with you on these proposals if you are confirmed.
With that, I recognize Senator Sanders for his opening statement.
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