Benjamin nod to be voted on next week

WASHINGTON, D.C. - It appears a Senate committee plans to take up the nomination of Dr. Regina Benjamin to be the next U.S. Surgeon General next week.

According to its website, the Senate Health Committee plans to consider Benjamin's nomination next Wednesday. But the process could slow down after that. That's because eight Republican Senators are involved in a dispute over Medicare Advantage.

The Department of Health and Human Services issued a gag order, after companies tried to inform people about possible changes in coverage, that could result from the passage of a healthcare reform bill.

The Senators, led by Kentucky's Mitch McConnell, want the gag order lifted. If it isn't, a vote on Benjamin's nomination could be delayed, but it's unlikely to be completely blocked.

President Obama nominated Dr. Benjamin back in July. For the past few years, she has run a clinic for low-income patients in the Bayou La Batre area.