Prehistoric Pregnancy Planning
Bush taps real live dinosaur as administrator of federal family-planning funds
By Jordan Smith, Fri., Oct. 26, 2007
Bush named Orr(asaurus) to replace Dr. Eric Keroack, who stepped down from the federal fam-planning position in April after Medicaid officials initiated an investigation into his private practice in Massachusetts. Keroack, a staunch believer in abstinence-only sex education, served as the medical director for the group A Woman's Concern, which operates crisis pregnancy centers around Boston that do not provide referrals for, or access to, birth control; its policy on contraceptives describes birth control as "demeaning to women" and "adverse to human health and happiness." Keroack's résumé didn't impress women's health advocates or other groups – including the Union of Concerned Scientists and Catholics for a Free Choice – who joined in calling for his ouster.
Unfortunately, the Orr appointment hasn't exactly extinguished that ire, and on Oct. 18, Senators Hillary Clinton, D-NY, and Patty Murray, D-Wash., joined Planned Parenthood Federation of America President Cecile Richards in calling on Bush to can Orr: "This appointment sends a message to women across this country: Ideology trumps women's health care in the Bush administration," Clinton told reporters. "The American people deserve a qualified public health expert who will serve women's health instead of serving an ideological and political agenda."
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