NIH director says DEI-related grants that were restored u...

What’s Happening

Here’s the thing: NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya told a podcaster that DEI-related grants restored under a court order clutched’t be renewed in 2026 Politics Politics NIH begins review of thousands of delayed research proposals, funding 135 on first day By Anil Oza Politics Politics STAT Plus: Three major health care policy issues to watch in 2026 By John Wilkerson Politics Politics Trump administration agrees to reconsider frozen and shut down NIH grant submissions related to DEI By Jonathan Wosen and Anil Oza Politics Politics STAT Plus: CMS divvies up first payments from $50B rural health fund, with an eye toward MAHA goals By Daniel Payne Health Health In 2026, Kennedy’s MAHA vision gets put to the test.

Here are 3 issues to watch By Elizabeth Cooney , Isabella Cueto , and Sarah Todd STAT Plus: Director of NIH neurological disorders institute is ousted, adding to leadership churn By Jonathan Wosen STAT Plus: FDA voucher program has become vehicle for political interference in drug review decisions, staffers say By Lizzy Lawrence STAT Plus: With the Wegovy pill, Novo Nordisk undercuts Eli Lilly in direct-to-consumer market By Elaine Chen STAT Plus: I’m the former head of Pfizer R&D. I’m worried about biopharma’s future By John L. (and honestly, same)

LaMattina STAT Plus: Brain-computer implants are coming of age.

Why This Matters

Here are 3 trends to watch in 2026 By O.

Health experts are weighing in on what this means for people.

The Bottom Line

This story is still developing, and we’ll keep you updated as more info drops.

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