Dr. Monica Bertagnolli Confirmed As New NIH Director, Despite Sanders’ ‘No’
The Senate voted 62 to 36 Tuesday to confirm cancer surgeon Dr. Monica M. Bertagnolli to the directorship of the National Institutes of Health, overriding objections from Senate health committee chair Bernie Sanders, who had voiced concerns over Bertagnolli's ability to combat high drug prices.
The New York Times:
Senate Confirms Monica Bertagnolli As NIH Director
The Senate on Tuesday confirmed Dr. Monica M. Bertagnolli, a cancer surgeon who currently leads the National Cancer Institute, as the next director of the National Institutes of Health, overriding the objections of Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, the chairman of the Senate health committee. The vote was 62 to 36, with Mr. Sanders voting no. In a statement last month, he said that while Dr. Bertagnolli was an “intelligent and caring person,” he would vote against her because she “has not convinced me that she is prepared to take on the greed and power of the drug companies and health care industry.” (Stolberg, 11/7)
Stat:
NIH Director Monica Bertagnolli Confirmed By Senate
Longtime cancer doctor Monica Bertagnolli is finally heading to the National Institutes of Health director’s office after a nearly two-year effort to install a permanent leader atop the $48 billion science agency. (Owermohle, 11/7)
The Washington Post:
Bertagnolli Confirmed As New Head Of National Institutes Of Health
Bertagnolli will be the second woman ever to lead the nearly $48 billion agency, which plays a central role in the U.S. scientific agenda by funding grants to hundreds of thousands of researchers, overseeing clinical trials on its Maryland campus, and supporting other endeavors to develop drugs and therapeutics. NIH has not had a permanent director since December 2021, with Lawrence A. Tabak, a longtime NIH official, serving as the agency’s acting leader. (Diamond, 11/7)
Axios:
New NIH Director Faces Battles Over Virus And Drug Research
Newly confirmed National Institutes of Health director Monica Bertagnolli is taking the helm of the biomedical research agency at a critical moment, with budgets tightening and lingering questions about its stewardship of high-risk virus research and role in keeping drugs affordable. (Bettelheim and Millman, 11/8)
