Posted 07/12/2007

APHA joins others in opposing Holsinger's
nomination for U.S. surgeon general
 

WASHINGTON -- The American Public Health Association, along with 35 members of the U.S. House and gay rights groups, is opposed to President Bush's surgeon general nominee Dr. James W. Holsinger because of his views on homosexuality.

It is the second time ever, and the first in 26 years, that the 50,000-member APHA has opposed a U.S. surgeon general nominee.

The APHA is "very concerned with Dr. Holsinger's past writings regarding his views of homosexuality, which put his political and religious ideology before established medical science," APHA executive director Dr. Georges Benjamin wrote in a letter to U.S. Sens. Edward Kennedy and Michael Enzi.

A native of Kansas City, Kansas, Holsinger holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky in human studies as well as a master’s degree in biblical studies from Asbury Theological Seminary.

He earned a master of science degree in hospital financial management from the University of South Carolina's Moore School of Business in 1981, and was named a Moore School Distinguished Alumnus in 2000. He holds a medical degree from Duke University and a doctorate in anatomy and physiology, also from Duke.

Holsinger’s wife, Barbara Craig Holsinger, is also a graduate of the Moore School, where she earned a master of science degree in business administration in 1983.

Kennedy, D-Mass,  is chair and Enzi, R-Wyo, is ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which conducted a confirmation hearing for Holsinger on Thursday.

In his two hours of testimony, Holsinger offered assurances that he would be a strong voice for public health, unswayed by political ideology. He said he would resign rather than allow politics to push aside science.

He also answered criticism of his past writings, saying said a controversial 1991 paper about homosexuality and health no longer represents his views.

“I am deeply troubled personally by these claims, which do not reflect who I am, what I believe or how I have practiced medicine for the past 40 years," Holsinger told the hearing.

"Questions have been raised about my faith and about my commitment to the health and well-being of all Americans, including gay and lesbian Americans," Holsinger told senators, adding he deeply appreciates medical needs of people regardless of their personal circumstances or sexual orientation.

Holsinger also said he personally opposed allowing drug companies to advertise prescription medications on television, saying it puts undue pressure on doctors to prescribe particular medications. He supported limiting advertising of "junk food" to children.

Kennedy said Holsinger's paper was "ideological and decidedly not an accurate analysis of the science then available on homosexuality."

"The misuse of science gravely concerns me," Kennedy said.

"I did not attempt to write a definitive scientific paper," Holsinger responded, admitting the paper is now outdated.

Holsinger has held a variety of state and federal positions, including chancellor of the University of Kentucky Medical Center, and medical director of the Veterans Health Administration.

The Kentucky doctor garnered the support of a prominent former surgeon general, Dr. C. Everett Koop, as well as the American College of Physicians.

Holsinger pushed his three agenda points: childhood obesity, tobacco use and the nation's public health system. He ducked a question on scientific support for the president's stem-cell policy, which prohibits federal funding for new cell lines.

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash, asked Holsinger whether he would support education about the use of condoms. Holsinger said he would encourage it. Then she asked about the use of condoms by young, unmarried people. He stammered a bit before coming up with an answer.

"That is one of a number of appropriate means of birth control and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, I would also talk about others," he said.

Still, some groups that opposed Holsinger's nomination before the hearing remain opposed. Planned Parenthood activists will be on the Hill next week asking politicians to press Holsinger harder before confirming his nomination.

For more information:

ASPH letter to Sen. Kennedy