Health and Me

Ishita Roy

US NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya To Run CDC Temporarily

The U.S. public health system is heading into another phase of upheaval. In a move that surprised many within the medical community, the administration has asked National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director <span>Jay Bhattacharya</span> to temporarily lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (<span>CDC</span>) as well.

The decision comes as part of a broader restructuring inside the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The current acting CDC chief Jim O'Neill will step down from both his CDC and deputy HHS roles. He is expected to be offered leadership of the National Science Foundation instead.

Bhattacharya already oversees the NIH — the country’s largest medical research body — which manages nearly $50 billion in research funding. Now, he will also run the CDC, the nation’s frontline agency for detecting disease outbreaks and coordinating responses to health threats in the U.S. and abroad.

The dual responsibility has raised eyebrows across public health circles.

Former CDC leaders argue the two institutions serve very different purposes and require constant attention. The NIH primarily funds and conducts research, while the CDC deals with real-time emergencies — from pandemics to food-borne outbreaks — and works closely with state health departments. About two-thirds of the CDC’s budget supports local public health programs.

Critics worry the arrangement could slow crisis response.

Several former officials say it is unrealistic for one person to manage both agencies effectively, especially since they are located in different cities and operate on entirely different timelines — one long-term and scientific, the other urgent and operational.

The leadership change follows months of instability at the agency under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr..

In August, President Donald Trump dismissed former CDC director Susan Monarez after disagreements over vaccine policy. The firing triggered multiple senior resignations and intensified internal tensions.

During O’Neill’s tenure, the CDC rolled back long-standing vaccine guidance for children and adopted recommendations from a newly restructured advisory panel. The panel itself had been replaced with members skeptical of vaccines — a decision that further deepened controversy within the scientific community.

Public health experts say frequent policy reversals risk eroding public trust in vaccination and disease prevention programs.

Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/how-susan-monarezs-appoint-as-cdc-director-can-change-us-health-sector-article-151302176" data-type="tilCustomLink">How Susan Monarez's Appoint As CDC Director Can Change US Health Sector?</a>

<h2>A temporary appointment — for now</h2>

Under federal law, Bhattacharya can only serve as acting CDC director until late March unless a permanent nominee is confirmed by the Senate. The administration must formally nominate a candidate within 210 days of Monarez’s removal, though the clock pauses while a nomination awaits approval.

In other words, the role could remain temporary — or stretch longer if confirmation battles drag on.

Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/a-year-after-rfk-jr-promised-to-make-america-healthy-again-what-actually-happened-article-153619052" data-type="tilCustomLink">A Year After RFK JR Promised To Make America Healthy Again, What Actually Happened?</a>

The personnel changes are part of a wider departmental reshuffle. The administration is reorganizing leadership to improve coordination between the White House and health agencies before the midterm campaign season.

Republican campaign planners reportedly intend to center healthcare messaging around insurance costs, drug affordability, and access to healthier food — issues they believe resonate strongly with voters.

For now, though, the focus remains on whether combining leadership of the country’s research powerhouse and its disease-control nerve center will stabilize the system — or strain it further at a time when public health agencies are still rebuilding trust after years of pandemic-era divisions.

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The U.S. public health system is heading into another phase of upheaval. In a move that surprised many within the medical community, the administration has asked National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Jay Bhattacharya to temporarily lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well.The decision comes as part of a broader restructuring inside the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.The current acting CDC chief Jim O'Neill will step down from both his CDC and deputy HHS roles. He is expected to be offered leadership of the National Science Foundation instead.One man, two powerful agenciesBhattacharya already oversees the NIH — the country’s largest medical research body — which manages nearly $50 billion in research funding. Now, he will also run the CDC, the nation’s frontline agency for detecting disease outbreaks and coordinating responses to health threats in the U.S. and abroad.The dual responsibility has raised eyebrows across public health circles.Former CDC leaders argue the two institutions serve very different purposes and require constant attention. The NIH primarily funds and conducts research, while the CDC deals with real-time emergencies — from pandemics to food-borne outbreaks — and works closely with state health departments. About two-thirds of the CDC’s budget supports local public health programs.Critics worry the arrangement could slow crisis response.Several former officials say it is unrealistic for one person to manage both agencies effectively, especially since they are located in different cities and operate on entirely different timelines — one long-term and scientific, the other urgent and operational.Turmoil inside the CDCThe leadership change follows months of instability at the agency under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr..In August, President Donald Trump dismissed former CDC director Susan Monarez after disagreements over vaccine policy. The firing triggered multiple senior resignations and intensified internal tensions.During O’Neill’s tenure, the CDC rolled back long-standing vaccine guidance for children and adopted recommendations from a newly restructured advisory panel. The panel itself had been replaced with members skeptical of vaccines — a decision that further deepened controversy within the scientific community.Public health experts say frequent policy reversals risk eroding public trust in vaccination and disease prevention programs.Read: How Susan Monarez's Appoint As CDC Director Can Change US Health Sector?A temporary appointment — for nowUnder federal law, Bhattacharya can only serve as acting CDC director until late March unless a permanent nominee is confirmed by the Senate. The administration must formally nominate a candidate within 210 days of Monarez’s removal, though the clock pauses while a nomination awaits approval.In other words, the role could remain temporary — or stretch longer if confirmation battles drag on.Read: A Year After RFK JR Promised To Make America Healthy Again, What Actually Happened?Bigger election-year strategyThe personnel changes are part of a wider departmental reshuffle. The administration is reorganizing leadership to improve coordination between the White House and health agencies before the midterm campaign season.Republican campaign planners reportedly intend to center healthcare messaging around insurance costs, drug affordability, and access to healthier food — issues they believe resonate strongly with voters.For now, though, the focus remains on whether combining leadership of the country’s research powerhouse and its disease-control nerve center will stabilize the system — or strain it further at a time when public health agencies are still rebuilding trust after years of pandemic-era divisions.