Medicare Compliance & Reimbursement

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President Bush and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have made an interesting choice for HHS' new deputy assistant secretary for population affairs, a position that oversees federally funded family planning programs.

Obstetrician-gynecologist Eric Keroack will take over the deputy assistant secretary for population affairs for HHS, the Washington Post reports. What is worrying some industry leaders is Keroack's position as medical director for A Woman's Concern, an anti-abortion pregnancy counseling organization that doesn't support contraception use -- even among married women. Keroack's new position with HHS -- which isn't subject to Senate confirmation -- will include the responsibility of running federal family planning programs that distribute contraceptives to low-income women, the Nov. 19 editorial piece in the Post says.

Keroack has prescribed contraceptives in his private medical practice, HHS spokesperson Christina Pearson told the Post. But Pearson couldn't say whether he prescribed them to unmarried women.

"President Bush and Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt should reconsider this ill-advised choice," the Post article concludes.