Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2007. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
|
|
Wall Street Journal - July 10, 2007
Laura Meckler, laura.meckler@wsj.com
Dr. Richard Carmona, who was surgeon general from 2002 until 2006, said his speeches were edited to remove material about controversial issues and he was encouraged to attend internal "political pep rallies." He said he was prevented from releasing a report on global health because he wouldn't make it a "political document" touting actions by the U.S. The report has yet to be released.
"The reality is that the 'nation's doctor' has been marginalized and relegated to a position with no independent budget, and with supervisors who are political appointees with partisan agendas," he told the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Tuesday. "Anything that doesn't fit into the political appointees' ideological, theological or political agenda is often ignored, marginalized or simply buried."
White House spokesman Tony Fratto said that Dr. Carmona was given the authority and "had the obligation" to be the leading voice for health. "It's disappointing to us if he failed to use his position to the fullest extent in advocating for policies he thought were in the best interests of the nation," he said.
The surgeon general's post has little formal power but can be a megaphone on public-health issues. Dr. C. Everett Koop used the post most notably to detail the dangers of smoking and to talk about AIDS. Dr. David Satcher, Dr. Carmona's immediate predecessor, issued a landmark report on mental health. Both men joined Dr. Carmona at the hearing yesterday and recounted their own challenges melding public health with politics of their administrations. But Dr. Carmona said the pressures he faced were more intense.
A trauma surgeon and one-time high-school dropout, Dr. Carmona got a lot of attention for his colorful past -- he once rappelled from a helicopter to rescue a victim. But he kept a low profile after taking office. He left last August when his term expired. A Senate committee plans to hold a hearing Thursday on James Holsinger Jr., a Kentucky cardiologist, who has been nominated to be the next surgeon general. He is likely to be questioned about what critics say are antigay views.
Dr. Carmona told the committee that, as surgeon general, he hadn't been permitted to talk about the importance of comprehensive sex education or emergency contraception. He said he wasn't permitted to discuss the science of embryonic stem-cell research. Under the Bush administration, there are strict limits on federal funding for such research. "I was blocked at every turn," he said. "I was told the decision had already been made -- stand down, don't talk about it," he said.
He also said he was prevented from attending a Special Olympics event to talk about the health and disabilities. "I was told I would be helping a politically prominent family [and] why would I want to help those people?" Dr. Carmona said. The Special Olympics was founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister to Sen. Edward Kennedy (D., Mass.).
He said his speeches were regularly vetted to ensure they weren't controversial. Speeches were edited to add references to Mr. Bush -- he was told there should be at least three per page. "The vetting was done by political appointees who were specifically there to spin my words to ideologically preconceived notions," he said.
070710
WJ070705
Copyright © 2007 - The Wall Street Journal. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the WSJ Permissions Desk.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation UK, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2007. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2007. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .