TheMommyBlog

Thursday, March 05, 2009 Family, News, Politics, Children's Health

I can’t believe it, but am so very glad the decision was made.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta of CNN has withdrawn from consideration for surgeon general in President Obama’s administration

CNN’s chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, has withdrawn his name from consideration for surgeon general, the network and the White House announced Thursday afternoon… Farrell said he’s been told Gupta had misgivings about both the pay-cut he would have to take and the fact that he might be reporting to two high-level bosses… As surgeon general, Gupta would make about $153,000, according to public information on federal salaries. It’s unclear what Gupta’s contracts are currently worth, but the surgeon general salary would be considerably less.

May I remind you that there is a groundswell of support for Dr. George Lundberg to be appointed Surgeon General. I know for a fact that he cares more about public health than the pay cut, and that he’d probably like to have as few as two high-level bosses for a change.

How you can help:

• Join the FaceBook group, DR. GEORGE LUNDBERG FOR SURGEON GENERAL
• Sign the PETITION TO PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA TO APPOINT DR. GEORGE D. LUNDBERG AS OUR NEXT US SURGEON GENERAL

Perhaps for the first time in recent history we believe that our Surgeon General’s first task is to use the “bully pulpit” of that position to help remoralize American Medicine in the following three areas. These three issues transcend any particular important scientific public-health topic per se like smoking, obesity, mental health, HIV/AIDS and many other worthy topics. But these core issues must be addressed first and foremost before any worthy scientific pubic health issue can be addressed effectively. So we urge our new Surgeon General to address the following upon entering the position.

1) Affordable health Insurance for all American Citizens.

2) Rebuilding Trust in our Federal Agencies that are Responsible for our Public Heath.

3) Wanton Overuse of Potentially Dangerous Medicines and Medical Technology – While the uninsured don’t receive basic medical care the insured (most of us) receive too many potentially dangerous medical interventions.

Dr George Lundberg not only is a consummate public health scientist who knows public health issues, he strongly embraces the above three priorities in words and deeds.

I can personally attest to that.