H.R. 3447: Surgeon General Independence Act

August 3, 2007 This bill was introduced by Representative Henry Waxman to amend the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to ensure the independence of the Surgeon General from political interference. The bill has been referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. The bill would amend the PHSA to say that the Surgeon General would be appointed by the President of the United States. The appointee must be a licensed doctor with specialization in public health, who is or who plans to become a member of the Regular Corps - a pool of potential appointees who would also fill any temporary . . .