The Nation - News from Feb. 27, 1989

The Bush Administration and Congress were criticized for failing to fill top government health jobs. “Almost four months after the elections, we are still wondering who will be named to the post of presidential science adviser,” Dr. James H. Sammons, AMA executive vice president, told the American Medical Assn.’s National Leadership Conference in Chicago, “and we don’t have an assistant secretary of defense for health at the Pentagon.” Vacancies delay progress on health programs and put the executive branch at a disadvantage in dealing with Congress on legislation, said Dr. James C. Todd, AMA deputy vice president.