Bhattacharya’s dual role draws anxieties

The Hill

by Joseph Choi

February 23, 2026

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Bhattacharya’s dual role draws anxieties

Jay Bhattacharya, director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has taken on an additional role as acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This dual leadership position has sparked concerns among former CDC staffers who worry about potential conflicts of interest and increased political influence over public health policies. Critics argue that Bhattacharya’s simultaneous control over both agencies could lead to biased decision-making, especially given his ties to conservative think tanks and past comments critical of mask mandates and lockdowns. Bhattacharya’s rise to this dual role comes as former CDC Director Robert Redfield stepped down earlier this year. With the CDC facing leadership challenges and

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Originally published on The Hill on 2/23/2026