After hearing testimony of political interference in the work of the surgeon general Tuesday, Rep. Henry A. Waxman, D-Calif., Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, has written a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Michael O. Leavitt requesting documents related to the surgeon general's reports on global health, prison health, and mental health and emergency preparedness. Waxman also requests documents pertaining to travel and speaking requests made by the surgeon general, and information on whether or not the requests were confirmed or denied.
Former Surgeon General Dr. Richard Carmona testified yesterday that while he was in office from 2002-2006, the Bush administration repeatedly interfered with his work, encouraging him to prioritize political considerations over scientific ones.
Waxman's request asks that the documents be made available to the committee by July 25, 2007, two weeks from today.
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