Comments on: Dr. Manny Blog: Sanjay Gupta Good for U.S. Health Care Policy?

By: Tim

Tim — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:58:12 +0000

Dr. Gupta has all the intelligence, all the charisma, and all the following needed to be a star. What he fails in is backbone. He is as spineless as President Elect Barack Obama. By being spineless, I mean he has no principals to base his judgments on. He basically uses opinion polls like his soon to be boss, to give him the talking points for the points he believes people want to hear. Watch the interview with Michael Moore and Dr. Gupta to see his non-backbone, it surfaces at the end. He is nothing like C Everett Koop.

To name Dr. Gupta and Dr. Koop as the same, is to say Mickey Mouse and Jerry Seinfeld are the same in respect to entertaining people. Both of these men are Doctors, and both seem to know their stuff, but one cared for people the other pretends to, in order to have a bigger career. I think we are seeing how a new wave of intelligent, ambitious people are driving the people by contrived talking points. Talking points that only benefit them, not normal people.

Within these people, starting with the President Elect and his Vice President, Secretary of State, and now down to his Surgeon General, we see men and women who really could care less for the public. They care more about their own place in the world, and use whatever means to get to the places they feel they belong.

They say they have heart on one subject, until that subject means nothing then they are back to the opinion poll to see where they can stand next to be front and center.

By: h sutherland md faaa (retired)

h sutherland md faaa (retired) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 17:33:48 +0000

As a practicing MD, he probably is in a better position to identify the problems facing both the medical profession and the patients. He is also in a better position to weigh the problems of the Canadian and English systems which involve extended weights for medical care. Our medical care is very expensive for several reasons. First, we demand the best care possible and are ready to sue if not given. Imagine everyone demanding the most expensive car and not being able to get it. Second, we demand that all efforts be given to prolong life. It has been estimated that 75% of all medical expense occurs during the last 1-2 months of life. How do we determine when “to pull the plug”? Thirdly, doctor fees need to be reevaluated and more closely associated with the true expense. Unfortunately, much of the expenses of the doctor’s offices, ie nurses,rent, insurance,etc.can not be controlled by the doctor. At this time Medicare and Medicaid pays only about 75% of the doctor’s overhead. For this reason primary doctors must work much harder than specialists whose fees are much higher. Dr. Gupta’s worst problem is how to change medical care and not have 30% or more of the doctors deciding to retire. He will also need to find a way to direct more medical students into primary care areas.

By: Irene Fricker

Irene Fricker — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:49:21 +0000

I think Sanjay Gupta is a very bad choice for the important position of US surgeon general. Gupta showed his lack of integrity and fortitude during the Terri Schiavo situation. Being a neurosurgeon and a public figure, Gupta was in a unique position to educate the public about the science and medicine of various levels of consciousness. At this, he failed miserably. Instead of providing clear, unbiased information to educate the public, Gupta spouted muddled, confusing, incomplete pseudo-information. After this disgraceful display, I stopped watching him and CNN.

We need a surgeon general who has a command of the underlying science of medicine and who is willing and able to communicate the truth.

By: FrankCleve

FrankCleve — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 04:17:02 +0000

He’s just what the American left-wingers want. He’s good looking, smart, black, can talk just like a politician(whatever the public wants to hear), and the media love him. But just listen to what he actually says, it’s usually nothing that makes sense, or what any other human being would say, he just adds a couple of big words. He just reminds me of an empty vessel, or a talking head. It’s a major shame if he is picked

By: Ric Ohge

Ric Ohge — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:52:49 +0000

He must want the gig REALLY bad…he’s weighed in on the continued prohibition of Marijuana/Hemp. The old school paper, cloth, bio-fuel, plastic manufacturers, and drug cartels will be dancing in the street.

By: charles Ncharge

charles Ncharge — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:50:32 +0000

Lol…..some of these comments are from real whinney folks. I’ll give Dr. Gupta a chance befor I judge him….Obama won by a lanslide because Americans want an end to right wing drivel. Have any of you been to Canada……? Or are we just parroting what were told?

By: rick

rick — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:00:09 +0000

we all know that when a rightie uses the words “i’ve heard” that it means they are just making it up.

By: Fuzzy

Fuzzy — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:58:12 +0000

Great choice…this guy is smart, has a wide range of experiences, and has built a great reputation on CNN by being passionate, easy to understand, and informed on major medical issues.

I don’t know why the right-wing doesn’t like him….after all, he took on Michael Moore!

By: Bob

Bob — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:56:08 +0000

Obviously, Obama chose Sanjay so that he could utilize him as a familiar and friendly face to promote Obama’s ill-fated governmental health care plan. This is a smart move by Obama as so many people, I’m afraid, will simply listen to whatever the celebrity says w/out reviewing and understanding all the real pros and cons of the issue, as we move deeper and deeper towards pure socialism.

By: Timothy Wiebe

Timothy Wiebe — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:49:02 +0000

Dr. Gupta has succeeded in rigorous advanced medical training, practice and certification as a neurological surgeon. His combined media experience with general and global medicine make him a uniquely well qualified candidate for surgeon general. His role should focus on optimal medical care; and not on the political interests that corrupt ethical delivery of health care. Congratulations Sanjay on your earned recognition.
Timothy Wiebe