American Public Health Association Opposes Surgeon General Nominee
Posted on: Wednesday, 11 July 2007, 15:04 CDT
WASHINGTON, July 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Public Health Association (APHA) today announced its opposition to the nomination of James Holsinger, Jr., MD, as surgeon general. In letters to U.S. Sens. Edward Kennedy and Michael Enzi, APHA expressed its deep concern over past writings regarding Dr. Holsinger's "views of homosexuality, which put his political and religious ideology before established medical science."
"As our nation's most trusted advisor and leading educator on health, the surgeon general plays a vital role in promoting health, preventing disease and protecting the public," wrote Georges Benjamin, MD, FACP, FACEP (Emeritus), executive director of APHA. "Scientific objectivity must be the standard for any nominee."
"We cannot support a nominee with discredited and non-evidence-based views on sexuality," wrote Benjamin. "While we have no doubt that Dr. Holsinger has made positive contributions throughout his medical and public health career, we believe his previously expressed views on sexuality are inconsistent with mainstream medicine and public health practice."
Sen. Kennedy is chair and Sen. Enzi is ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which will hold a confirmation hearing July 12 at 10 a.m.
The full text of the letter can be found at http://www.apha.org/NR/rdonlyres/331EA90A-BF40-4028-AA17- 33B63FE5674A/0/Holsingerletter.pdf. For more information about APHA, visit http://www.apha.org/.
Contact: David Fouse, (202) 777-2501, david.fouse@apha.org
American Public Health Association
CONTACT: David Fouse of American Public Health Association,+1-202-777-2501, david.fouse@apha.org
Web site: http://www.apha.org/
Source: PRNewswire-USNewswire
Related Articles
- Pelosi: 'Today We Are Delivering on the Promise of Making Affordable, Quality Health Care Available for All Americans'
- Looking Forward: Health Information Technology and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
- APHA Releases Public Health Priorities for New Congress and Administration
- Start! Helps to Boost Health and Wellness Among Working Americans
- Bridgetech Announces Addition of Harvard Health Publications As Content Provider in Its Development of a Healthcare Web Portal in China
- Medicaid Health Plans of America Pledges Full Support of AHIP's New Plan to Expand Health Care Coverage to Every American
- Former Senators Daschle and Nickles Concur on Incremental Health Care Reform for Uninsured Americans
- Public Comment(R) Service Gives Americans a Voice in National Health Care Reform
- APHA Supports Public Health Thank You Day
- AMA, BCBSA Host Conference to Overcome Health Care Challenges Facing Aging Americans
 |
 |
User Comments (0)
RSS Feeds