New Chief of Family Planning

The Washington Post reports that President Bush has announced his new chief of Family Planning, Eric Keroack, medical director for A Woman's Concern, a nonprofit group based in Massachuestts., will become deputy assistant secretary for population affairs.  This announcement has met with some controversy.  The Post reports:

The Keroack appointment angered many family-planning advocates, who noted that A Woman's Concern supports sexual abstinence until marriage, opposes contraception and does not distribute information promoting birth control at its six centers in eastern Massachusetts.

"A Woman's Concern is persuaded that the crass commercialization and distribution of birth control is demeaning to women, degrading of human sexuality and adverse to human health and happiness," the group's Web site says.

Keroack was traveling and could not be reached for comment. John O. Agwunobi, assistant secretary for health, said Keroack "is highly qualified and a well-respected physician . . . working primarily with women and girls in crisis."

Perhaps it is only me but I don't think appointing someone who opposes birth control and finds its marketing and availability "demeaning" to women is the best choice for a family planning director but I know I still have lots to learn . . .