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Beyond COVID-19: Ousted BARDA Chief’s Whistleblower Complaint Suggests Widespread Politicization of HHS Funding Decisions

 
• By Sarah Karlin-Smith

Ousted BARDA Director Rick Bright's whistleblower complaint cites a long-pattern of political interference in scientific decisions making and could lead to overhauls in how BARDA and other HHS contracts are awarded to the drug industry. It could also impact how Congress funds BARDA, following a recent move by lawmakers to give the division more direct control of its funding.     

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Bright's whistle blower complaint claims that politically connected firms were cashing in on government contracts.

A whistleblower complaint filed by recently removed US Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority Director Rick Bright may spark a broad review of the US Health and Human Services division’s contracting practices, including the ability of political leaders to interfere in decision making of public health officials.

The accusations could also impact how Congress funds BARDA, following a recent move in COVID-19 legislation to give the HHS division

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