NIH faces scrutiny over grant accountability and funding suspensions
November 14, 2024 | Oversight and Reform: House Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation
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In a recent government meeting, discussions centered on the grant process related to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the controversial EcoHealth Alliance, led by Dr. Peter Daszak. The meeting highlighted several flaws in the grant process, as noted by Dr. Anthony Fauci's testimony, with a focus on improving accountability for grant recipients.
Dr. Lawrence Tabak confirmed that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) had suspended and proposed debarment for EcoHealth and Dr. Daszak in May, a process that remains ongoing. Despite the suspension, NIH continues to support EcoHealth, having provided all necessary documentation to the department. At the time of the suspension, EcoHealth had three active grants with NIH, which had already allocated funds.
The meeting raised questions about the implications of the suspension on future funding. Dr. Tabak clarified that while NIH is legally obligated to reimburse for activities that occurred before the suspension, any activities post-suspension would not be reimbursable. He also noted that NIH has not attempted to reclaim already disbursed funds.
A significant point of contention was Dr. Daszak's assertion that he was not required to provide lab notebooks from the Wuhan Institute of Virology to NIH. Dr. Tabak confirmed that under new regulations established last year, Dr. Daszak was indeed required to produce these documents when requested.
The discussions underscore ongoing scrutiny of grant management and accountability within NIH, particularly in relation to research funding linked to the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
Dr. Lawrence Tabak confirmed that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) had suspended and proposed debarment for EcoHealth and Dr. Daszak in May, a process that remains ongoing. Despite the suspension, NIH continues to support EcoHealth, having provided all necessary documentation to the department. At the time of the suspension, EcoHealth had three active grants with NIH, which had already allocated funds.
The meeting raised questions about the implications of the suspension on future funding. Dr. Tabak clarified that while NIH is legally obligated to reimburse for activities that occurred before the suspension, any activities post-suspension would not be reimbursable. He also noted that NIH has not attempted to reclaim already disbursed funds.
A significant point of contention was Dr. Daszak's assertion that he was not required to provide lab notebooks from the Wuhan Institute of Virology to NIH. Dr. Tabak confirmed that under new regulations established last year, Dr. Daszak was indeed required to produce these documents when requested.
The discussions underscore ongoing scrutiny of grant management and accountability within NIH, particularly in relation to research funding linked to the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
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