October 19, 2007

A Critic of Contraception in Charge of Family Planning?

President Bush has appointed Susan Orr—a staunch critic of contraception—to head a federal program responsible for providing birth control and family planning services to low-income populations, drawing criticism from family planning advocates nationwide (cbsnews.com, 10/18).

On Monday, Bush named Orr the Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Population Affairs (DASPA). Orr is currently the associate commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services and sits on the board of directors for Teen Choice, a group advocating abstinence-only education over education to prevent unwanted pregnancy and transmission of STDs such as HIV and herpes.

“The appointment of Susan Orr is a nightmare for anyone who believes in birth control and sex education,” says Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood. “This is yet another example of the Bush administration putting politics ahead of women’s health care.”

Orr succeeds Dr. Eric Keroack, another pro-abstinence Bush appointee—who resigned in March after he was highly criticized for his statements condemning premarital sex.