Heavy Editing Is Alleged In Climate Testimony

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Posted by Sharon Kramer

" Instead, Gerberding's prepared testimony before the Senate Environment and

Public Works Committee included few details on what effects climate change

could have on the spread of disease. Only during questioning did the director

of the government's premier disease-monitoring agency describe any specific

diseases likely to be affected, again without elaboration. "

Heavy Editing Is Alleged In Climate Testimony

By H. f Hebert

Associated Press

Wednesday, October 24, 2007; Page A10

Testimony that the director of the _Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention_

(http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/Centers+for+Disease+Control+and\

+Prevention?tid=informline) planned to give yesterday to a Senate

committee about the impact of climate change on health was significantly edited

by

the _White House_

(http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/The+White+House?tid=informline)

, according to two sources familiar with the documents.

Specific scientific references to potential health risks were removed after

_ L. Gerberding_

(http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/+L.+Gerberding?tid=informl\

ine) submitted a draft of her prepared remarks to

the _White House Office of Management and Budget_

(http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/U.S.+Office+of+Management+and+B\

udget?tid=informline) for

review.

Instead, Gerberding's prepared testimony before the Senate Environment and

Public Works Committee included few details on what effects climate change

could have on the spread of disease. Only during questioning did the director

of

the government's premier disease-monitoring agency describe any specific

diseases likely to be affected, again without elaboration.

A CDC official familiar with both versions said Gerberding's draft " was

eviscerated, " cut from 14 pages to four. The version presented to the Senate

committee consisted of six pages.

The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the

sensitive nature of the review process, said that while it is customary for

testimony to be changed in a White House review, these changes were particularly

" heavy-handed. "

CDC spokesman Tom Skinner sought to play down the White House changes. He

called Gerberding's appearance before the Senate panel " very productive " and

said she addressed the issues she wanted to during her remarks and when

questioned by the senators.

" What needed to be said, as far we're concerned, was said, " Skinner said from

_Atlanta_

(http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/Atlanta?tid=informline) , where

the CDC is based. " She certainly communicated with the

committee everything she felt was critical to help them appreciate and

understand

all the issues surrounding climate change and its potential impact on public

health. "

The OMB had no comment on Gerberding's testimony. Gerberding could not be

reached for comment late yesterday.

" We generally don't speculate and comment on anything until it is the final

product, " said OMB spokesman Kevelighan. He added that OMB reviews take

into consideration " whether they . . . line up well with the national

priorities of the administration. "

_Sen. Barbara Boxer_

(http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/b000711/) (D-Calif.), the

committee chairman, said in a statement last night

that the Bush administration " should immediately release Dr. Gerberding's full,

uncut statement, because the public has a right to know all the facts about

the serious threats posed by global warming. "

The Bush administration has been accused by government scientists of

pressuring them to emphasize the uncertainties of global warming. Earlier this

year,

climate scientists complained to a House committee that the administration

had sought frequently to manage or influence their statements and public

appearances.

The White House in the past has said it has sought only to provide a balanced

view of the climate issue.

The CDC is part of the _Department of Health and Human Services_

(http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/U.S.+Department+of+Health+and+H\

uman+Servic

es?tid=informline) , and its congressional testimony, as is normal with all

agencies, is routinely reviewed by OMB.

But Gerberding was said by the CDC officials to have been surprised by the

extensive changes.

The deletions directed by the White House included details on how many people

might be adversely affected because of increased warming and the scientific

basis for some of the CDC's analysis on what kinds of diseases might be

spread in a warmer climate and rising sea levels, according to one official who

had seen the original version.

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