Obama pleads for health care; but his surgeon general sends the wrong message

Before I get to the surgeon general, I feel compelled to comment briefly on the political spectacle surrounding health care reform:

President Obama has been acting like an old-fashioned, itinerant preacher lately in his effort to convince a growing number of doubting Thomases that America’s fiscal salvation depends on passing health care reform – “before the congressional recess in August” (or by the end of the year…).

In fact he’s becoming such a Cassandra in this respect that TV-network executives balked at his request for a coveted spot in their prime-time lineup tonight to proselytize his message.

This prompted some of his critics to chortle “Obama bumped by Boyle,” referring to NBC’s insistence on airing America’s Got Talent, instead of Obama’s press conference, in the highly coveted 9PM slot. Even worse, according to industry reports, NBC did this because the show will be featuring an interview with YouTube sensation, Susan Boyle.

But who would have thought that this frumpy English spinster with a surprisingly good singing voice – who nobody in America had even heard of until a few months ago – would have more clout with executives at NBC today than President Obama…? 

Humbled but unfazed, Obama agreed to move his bully pulpit to undercard slot at 8PM.

That said, let me hasten to note that I’m not one of those doubting Thomases.  Indeed, I hereby testify that I’m a firm believer in his message about the fierce urgency of reforming health care … now!  And I commend him for pulling out all the stops, and not standing on ceremony, to spread the word.

Now about this surgeon general: 

Actually, I was stupefied when Obama suspended his preaching about health care only to announce his appointment of a new surgeon general who embodies so much that is wrong with health care in America today; i.e., an epidemic of obesity and related maladies.

Specifically, Obama returned to the White House last week where he introduced Dr. Regina M. Benjamin by regaling her as a McArthur Genius who had championed the poor at a medical clinic she set up in Katrina-ravaged Alabama.  

Now bear in mind that, according to the Journal Health Affairs, (preventable) obesity accounts for 10 percent of the health care costs (or almost $150 billion a year) that Obama is pledging to reduce.  More to the point, research shows that medical spending averages $1,400 more for a fat person than for someone of normal weight.

No doubt Dr Benjamin is a very distinguished medical practitioner. But the job of surgeon general is far more about inspiring Americans to live healthy lifestyles than about practicing medicine.  And, frankly, I doubt she will provide much inspiration looking as unfit as she does.

By way of illustration, how would you feel if you went to the gym – full of enthusiasm to begin your New Year’s resolution to lose 40 pounds – only to be greeted by a personal trainer who looked 40 pounds overweight…?

Enough said?

NOTE: I am mindful that Obama himself is not setting a very good example by continuing to smoke.  But he was elected to serve as commander in chief; whereas Benjamin has been appointed to serve as doctor in chief.