Birth Control Under Fire

“We’re quite pleased, because fertility is not a disease”
Susan Orr on a Bush proposal to stop requiring all health insurance plans for federal employees to cover birth control.

President Bush appointed another birth control foe - Susan Orr - to head the nation’s family planning program. Ms. Orr is formerly with the Family Research Council, a conservative organization that opposes comprehensive sex ed and is a strong advocate of abstinence only education.

The Washington Post was the first major news outlet to cover the appointment of Susan Orr, describing her as a “birth control foe” (Wa Post). The National Family and Reproductive Health Association was quoted in the Wa Post Story “We have another appointment that just truly politicizes family planning”.

Planned Parenthood issued this statement: “The appointment of Susan Orr is a nightmare for anyone who believes in birth control and sex ed, and further evidence that the Bush administration is intent on appointing an anti-choice extremist to head Title X…This is yet another example of the Bush administration putting politics ahead of women’s health care.”

Orr’s appointment does not need Senate confirmation, but birth control supporters will surely respond swiftly, much like with the Keroack nomination that was ultimately sidelined early this year.