Senate Finally Confirms Surgeon General

Republicans relent after weeks of procedural delays
By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 30, 2009 2:59 PM CDT
Senate Finally Confirms Surgeon General
Dr. Regina Benjamin, an Alabama family physician, speaks following an announcement by President Barack Obama of his intention to nominate her as the surgeon general, Monday, July 13, 2009, in the White House Rose Garden in Washington.   (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

The Senate unanimously confirmed Regina Benjamin as US surgeon general yesterday after Republicans ended a procedural delay that had dragged on for several weeks. Mitch McConnell and seven other GOP senators said they stalled because of an administration “gag order” that prevented insurers from giving their opinions on the effects of pending health care reform to senior citizens on Medicare. Benjamin said the news was “just sinking in."

"I'm excited, looking forward to it, sad that I won't be able to continue to see my patients," the new surgeon general told the Mobile Press-Register.
(More Regina Benjamin stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X