Opposition to Bush's Anti-Birth Control Appointee Continues to Grow

Washington, D.C. – NARAL Pro-Choice America and other leading women's health organizations are united in a call for the Bush administration to reconsider the appointment of an anti-birth control activist to oversee the nation's family-planning program.  The groups delivered this unified message in a letter to Michael Leavitt, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. 

"Now is the time for Secretary Leavitt and the Bush White House to show the public they heard Americans' call for an end to divisive attacks against women's freedom and privacy," said Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America.  "Birth control is not a controversial issue. Americans of all political persuasions support increasing women's access to contraception and improving family-planning options.  Bush's decision to put Keroack in this important position is irresponsible, and underscores his commitment to appease far-right anti-birth control pressure groups at the expense of the common good.  Secretary Leavitt now has the opportunity to demonstrate true leadership by reconsidering this appointment and asking the president to fill this post with an individual who shares Americans' mainstream views on birth control and family planning."

On Monday, November 20, NARAL Pro-Choice America issued an alert to its member activists, asking them to contact Secretary Leavitt and urge him to reconsider this appointment. In less than 24 hours, 29,190 member activists had taken action.

Contact:
Ted Miller, 202.973.3032