Obama approaches CNN correspondent Sanjay Gupta for surgeon general

Washington: United States President-elect Barack Obama's has approached CNN medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta for the position of surgeon general, a move that could bring star power to a job that has not had that much clout in decades.

Gupta is a neurosurgeon who still scrubs in part time in one of the nation's toughest hospitals, when he's not on CNN assignments that have taken him from Hurricane Katrina to Iraq.

He also has co-hosted a health "network" that beams feel-good advice on TVs in clinic waiting rooms around the country, one that has drawn some criticism for drug-company promotion.

The surgeon general doesn't set health policy, but the office can be effective in dispensing health information to the public, and a major report aimed at Congress just last month called for "a more prominent and powerful role for the surgeon general who ... should be a strong advocate for the American people."

The celebrity behind Gupta's medical credentials may help bring important health issues to the forefront.

"If chosen, Dr. Gupta's communication skills and medical knowledge could be a boon to the new administration's health system reform efforts," noted Dr. Joseph Heyman, chairman of the American Medical Association's board.

Since learning of the appointment, CNN has made sure Gupta's reporting has been “on health and wellness matters and not on health care policy or any matters involving the new administration."

Gupta has so far declined to comment.

Two Democrats with knowledge of the discussions over the surgeon general spot said Gupta was under consideration but cautioned a choice has not been made. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media on the matter.

Obama's transition office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.