The new surgeon-general: Health screen

Barack Obama’s choice is smarter than some critics think SHOULD the post of America’s top doctor be filled by a smooth-talking television star? It might soon be. Rumours are swirling that Barack Obama wants Sanjay Gupta, CNN’s chief medical correspondent, to serve as America’s next surgeon-general. At first sight, the idea seems barmy. On grounds of substance, it seems odd to put a talking head in such a job, given that health reform will be a priority for the new administration. And on style, Mr Obama is already criticised by some as being too Clintonesque in his eagerness to curry favour with the media. Some critics denounced the presumed choice this week; Paul Krugman of the New York Times even claimed that Dr Gupta did not deserve the job because he unfairly attacked Michael Moore’s movie “Sicko” (which in turn made the ridiculous claim that Cuba’s health system is better than America’s). ... (link)