Former Surgeon General Alleges Republicans Place Politics Over Science
In a New York Times article datelined July 10, Former Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona reported that top Bush administration officials repeatedly tried to alter important science and public health reports because of political considerations.
Among points mentioned in the article, which you are encouraged to read:
- Dr. Carmona … consulted six previous surgeons general, Republican and Democratic, and all agreed that he faced more political interference than they had.
- Dr. Carmona said the administration made decisions … based solely on political considerations … “I was told to stay away from those because we’ve already decided which way we want to go.â€
- Dr. Carmona said he was ordered to mention President Bush three times on every page of his speeches.
- The Global Health Report was never approved, Dr. Carmona said, because he refused to sprinkle the report with glowing references to the efforts of the Bush administration.
Former Surgeons General C. Everett Koop, Richard H. Carmona and David Satcher testified July 10 before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
Side note: In a turnaround which seems to be calculated to confuse people, the White House appears to be criticzing Dr. Caroma for not being more forceful in his stand against their interference.
