Obama Statement on the Appointment of Dr. Susan Orr as Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Population Affairs at HHS

October 22, 2007 -- "I have serious concerns about the Bush Administration's appointment of Dr. Susan Orr to oversee family planning programs and Title X funding at the Department of Health and Human Services.

Her troubling history of opposing federal funding for these programs threatens the right of women and families to access these important resources. Family planning programs serve millions of low-income Americans annually and provide affordable and accessible reproductive health services.

The American people deserve to have a qualified public health expert overseeing and upholding these programs. Dr. Orr's appointment shows that even when it comes to public health, this Administration will put its own interests above the people's interests. I strongly oppose her appointment."

Source: Senator Barack Obama