SmallGovTimes.com

By: Benjamin Amis | Published on 07/13/07    

Dr. James Holsinger, M.D., President Bush’s nominee to fill the position of U.S. Surgeon General, recently finished his first day of confirmation hearings with the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, where he received much opposition from Senate Democrats, including the committee’s Chairman Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., who questioned the physician over a paper he wrote several years ago for the Methodist Church.

The paper in question, purposefully classified as “non-scientific”, discussed the health risks and unnatural behavior of homosexuality. This paper prompted many liberals and gay rights groups to come out of the proverbial closet swinging in opposition to the nomination. Along with them, the American Public Health Association and thirty-five United States Congressman have lined up to oppose the Cardiologist.

Holsinger answered his opponents saying, “First of all, the paper doesn’t represent where I am today. It does not represent who I am today.”

However, I know that there are many Christian conservatives who are hoping that at least part of Holsinger holds on to those beliefs, which caused him to vote against the ordination of a lesbian minister in the Methodist Church when he served on their Judicial Council.

“Dr. Holsinger's paper is ideological and decidedly not an accurate analysis of the science then available on homosexuality," Kennedy critiqued, "Dr. Holsinger's paper cherry picks and misuses data to support his thesis that homosexuality is unhealthy and unnatural." Global warming, any one?

“I've worked diligently to provide quality health care to everyone regardless of personal characteristics, including sexual orientation,” answered Holsinger to charges that he harbored bias against gays and lesbians.

In addition, due to allegations towards the Bush Administration of politicizing the office of Surgeon General made by the previous office-holder Richard Carmona, Holsinger faced many questions concerning how he would treat a situation where the Administration asked him to cover-up certain information from a hypothetical study. He explained that he would discuss it heavily with the Administration in the hopes of discovering their motivation and try to reach a compromise and, if he felt the study was important enough, may resign.

“I think I have a clear response to that.” Holsinger replied, “I would resign.”

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, sparred with the nominee over what would be important enough for him to resign over, but Holsinger's answer seemed to be adequate enough for the other questioners.

Holsinger noted that if confirmed, his top priority would be fighting childhood obesity, which he did as the Secretary of Kentucky’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services, where he fought to place healthier foods in school vending machines and cafeterias. The Kentucky physician enjoys much support, including the American College of Physicians and prominent former Surgeon General Dr. C. Everett Koop.

As far as Holsinger’s credentials: his resume is extensive. He holds a doctorate in anatomy and physiology, as well as a medical degree from Duke University, a master’s degree in hospital financial management from the University of South Carolina, a bachelor’s degree in human studies from the University of Kentucky and a master’s degree in biblical studies from Asbury Theological Seminary.

Holsinger spent most of his career within the Veteran’s Administration and the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, eventually serving as the Chief Medical Director of the DVA. He then headed the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services and was the Chancellor of the University of Kentucky’s Chandler Medical Center. He worked as a professor at several American medical schools and served as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Asbury Theological Seminary.

He also served more than three decades in the United States Army Reserve, retiring in 1993 at the rank of Major General.

A committee vote on confirmation should come within a few days, which will move Holsinger’s nomination to the Senate floor for a final confirmation vote before the entire Senate.

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