Bush Nominee for Health Secretary Stirs Concern over Abortion Position

Wednesday December 15, 2004

Bush Nominee for Health Secretary Stirs Concern over Abortion Position

WASHINGTON, December 15, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - President Bush's appointment of Mike Leavitt as Health and Human Services Secretary has left conservatives in a quandary. Many conservative organizations were hoping for a true conservative to take over for departing Tommy Thompson.

Tony Perkins, President of Family Research Council (FRC), said that, though a self-proclaimed pro-lifer, Governor Leavitt's background begs serious questions as to his advocacy.

FRC points out that Leavitt rejected Utah's court appeal over the state's 1991 pro-life law. Moreover, he vetoed HB4ll, the sex-ed bill designed to stop the graphic, inappropriate materials used in sex-ed programs. Leavitt also sanctioned the use of federal funds set aside for abstinence education in the state of Utah to be put towards programs that do not have a direct association with abstinence.

If confirmed by the Senate, Leavitt will face a number of tough, controversial decisions -- including Medicare reform, funding for stem-cell research, cloning and other sensitive ethical health issues. "The best predictor of future positions on controversial issues is the record of past decisions. Leavitt's past decisions raise legitimate questions about where he will be on these key values issues in the future if confirmed," concluded Perkins.

Jhw

URL: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/dec/04121501.html

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