submitted without comment. but maybe some pleased expressions and a high-five to the state of MA

[lagilman]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The head of the federal agency responsible for providing women with access to contraceptives and pregnancy counseling resigned unexpectedly Thursday after Medicaid officials took action against him in Massachusetts.

The Health and Human Services Department provided no details about the nature of the Massachusetts action that led to Dr. Eric Keroack's resignation.

Just five months ago, Keroack was chosen by President Bush to oversee HHS' Office of Population Affairs and its $283 million annual budget. The pick angered Planned Parenthood and other pro-abortion rights groups that viewed him as opposed to birth control and comprehensive sex education. Keroack had worked for an organization that opposes contraception.

''Yesterday, Dr. Eric Keroack alerted us to an action taken against him by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Office of Medicaid. As a result of this action I accepted his resignation,'' Dr. John Agwunobi, assistant secretary for health, said in a terse statement Thursday evening.

Massachusetts Medicaid officials did not return phone calls seeking comment.

Comments

[christymarx.livejournal.com]

Dear Massachusetts, I love you.

[debg.livejournal.com]

I also love them, muchly. Especially now that they've got over that bizarre little Mitt Romney virus they had a few years back.

smooches Mass

[ckd]

I have to wonder if the arrival of the first Democratic governor in 16 years had anything to do with the timing of this, myself. (Don't blame me for Romney; I didn't vote for him.)

[lagilman]

I do wonder, though, what they had on him, that he slid from sight so fast.... had to be a doozy....

[redstarrobot.livejournal.com]

And that no one's talking! I'm so curious...

[fakefrenchie.livejournal.com]

This was in the Boston Globe:

Keroack's office oversees family planning services provided through the Title X program. Services include breast and cervical cancer screening . Services are given on a sliding scale based on income, and no one is refused service based on inability to pay.

Keroack told his staff in a letter yesterday that he became aware of the action being taken against his private medical practice in Massachusetts. He said he immediately hired a lawyer to initiate an appeal. He did not elaborate on why the action was taken.

"My attorney feels confident that misunderstandings have occurred and that upon further review of the facts during the appeals process, this action will be reversed," he wrote. "However, the appeals process will present a significant distraction to my ability to remain focused on my duties."

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2007/03/30/hhs_official_facing_legal_action_resigns/

[lauriemann.livejournal.com]

I didn't realize the guy had lived in Massachusetts. I thought given his regressive beliefs that he was from the south or Utah or someplace like that. The Bushies haven't been quitting much until lately - it'll be interesting to hear what Massachusetts had on him.