Did White House Edit CDC Health Comments?

Director Testifies At Climate Change Hearing

POSTED: 9:53 pm EDT October 23, 2007
UPDATED: 10:01 pm EDT October 23, 2007

WASHINGTON, D.C -- When a top federal health official testified before Congress about the effects of climate change, she reportedly had less to say than she'd planned.

Sources say the White House severely edited the testimony of CDC Director Julie Gerberding on the impact of climate change on health. The sources say the White House removed specific scientific references to potential health risks.

Dr. Gerberding told a Senate hearing that climate change "is anticipated to have a broad range of impacts on the health of Americans." But her prepared testimony was devoted entirely to the CDC's preparation. Only during questioning did she describe some specific diseases that likely would be affected.

A CDC official says Gerberding's prepared testimony was "eviscerated."

No comment from Gerberding, who was said to have been surprised by the extensive changes. A CDC spokesman sought to play down the White House deletions, calling Gerberding's appearance before the Senate panel "very productive."

http://www.newsnet5.com/health/14408804/detail.html

Amazing we are still here.

nt