Key policy issues

Public health specialists point to the following as examples of the Romney administration influencing the Department of Public Health:

Needles
In May 2005, the DPH provided legislative testimony supporting over-the-counter sales of needles to slow the spread of AIDS and other infectious diseases among addicts. The same day, Romney came out in opposition to the law, saying it would add fuel to the state's heroin epidemic. By June 2006, DPH officials had switched their position and said they opposed needle sales.

Abstinence
In December 2005, the Romney administration announced that the DPH would be starting an abstinence education program for teenagers. A spokesman for the governor said at the time that abstinence was the only ``foolproof guarantee" that teens won't become pregnant.

Infant formula
In December 2005, Massachusetts became the first state to ban the distribution of gift bags containing infant formula to mothers in hospital maternity wards. Advocates said the measure would encourage women to breast-feed, which studies have shown results in better health for mother and baby alike. In February 2006, Romney ordered the agency to drop the ban, arguing that women should be given the right to decide whether they want the industry-supplied formula.

Stem cells
In August 2006, after discussions with the Romney administration, public health regulators adopted rules governing stem cell research that would criminalize certain scientific activities . The governor's office said that the rules were in keeping with the spirit of a 2005 biotechnology law enacted by the Legislature and that the regulations had been reviewed by a panel of experts. Critics, including leading Democrats, said Romney and the DPH had overstepped their authority.