Resolution: 204

(A-15)

Introduced by: Delaware

Subject: Nomination for and Improvement of the Position of the United States Surgeon

General

Referred to: Reference Committee B

(Theodore A. Calianos, II, MD, Chair)

1 Whereas, During the recent Ebola virus crisis, the United States of America lacked a

2 spokesperson whose purpose is to minister to the health of its citizens in the person of a

3 permanent U.S. Surgeon General; and

4

5 Whereas, Over time the power of the position of US Surgeon General has been politicized and,

6 thus, weakened; and

7

8 Whereas, Consistent with AMA HOD Policy H-440.863, the Medical Society of Delaware: (1)

9 recognizes the Office of the United States Surgeon General as the esteemed position of the

10 “nation’s doctor;” and (2) calls for the Office of the United States Surgeon General to be free

11 from the undue influence of politics, and be guided by science and the integrity of his/her role as

12 a physician in fulfilling the highest calling to promote the health and welfare of all people;

13 therefore be it

14

15 RESOLVED, That whenever there is a vacancy in the position of the US Surgeon General, the

16 American Medical Association Council on Science and Public Health provide the names of three

17 individuals for consideration to the AMA Candidate Review Committee for approval, after which

18 the names will be forwarded to the AMA Board of Trustees for final consideration. The

19 individuals’ names and credentials will then be submitted by the AMA Board of Trustees to the

20 President of the United States through the appropriate submission procedures for consideration

21 of appointment to the position of US Surgeon General, with final approval by the United States

22 Senate (Directive to Take Action); and be it further

23

24 RESOLVED, That our AMA Board of Trustees appoint a task force comprised of former

25 Surgeons General of the United States and other leaders within the public health community to

26 consider how the position of US Surgeon General can be strengthened to better advocate for

27 the health of the citizens of the United States (Directive to Take Action); and be it further

28

29 RESOLVED, That the findings of that task force be forwarded to the AMA Council on Legislation

30 for the purpose of having it draft legislation that, upon approval of the of the AMA Board of

31 Trustees, can be brought forward to the United States Congress for passage into law with the

32 anticipation that improvement in the overall function of the Office of the US Surgeon General

33 can be achieved and, therefore, result in fewer vacancies in the position of US Surgeon

34 General. (Directive to Take Action)

Fiscal Note: Not yet determined

Received: 04/13/15

Resolution: 204 (A-15)

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RELEVANT AMA POLICY

H-440.863 Restoring the Independence of the Office of the US Surgeon General

Our AMA: (1) recognizes the Office of the United States Surgeon General as the esteemed

position of the “nation’s doctor”; and (2) calls for the Office of the United States Surgeon

General to be free from the undue influence of politics, and be guided by science and the

integrity of his/her role as a physician in fulfilling the highest calling to promote the health and

welfare of all people. (Sub. Res. 434; A-08)

H-440.926 United States Surgeon General

The AMA, in order to best protect the health care needs of the American people, will seek

changes in federal law to require that the Surgeon General of the United States be an MD/DO,

whether the Surgeon General is confirmed by the U.S. Senate or appointed to serve on an

acting or interim basis. (Sub. Res. 211, I-93; Reaffirmed: BOT Rep. 28, A-03; Reaffirmed: BOT

Rep. 28, A-13)