Pennsylvania House Postpones Vote On Bill That Would Require Hospitals To Provide EC To Rape Survivors

Main Category: Women's Health / Gynecology
Also Included In: Sexual Health / STDs;  Primary Care / General Practice
Article Date: 09 Oct 2007 - 9:00 PDT

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The Pennsylvania House on Wednesday voted 109-86 to postpone until Oct. 22 consideration of a bill (HB 288) that would require hospitals in the state to provide access to emergency contraception to rape survivors, the AP/CNNMoney.com reports (Scolforo, AP/CNNMoney.com, 10/3).

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Daylin Leach (D), would mandate all hospitals, regardless of religious affiliation, to provide rape survivors with information about EC, notify them that the hospital can provide EC and provide it if requested. EC can prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of sexual intercourse. Currently, more than half the hospitals in the state do not provide EC, according to Leach. Stacy Kriederman, a spokesperson for the Department of Health, said that there is no requirement for hospitals to provide EC.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, some state lawmakers who support the postponement said they needed more time to consider the ramifications of what they believe "amounts to effectively legislating medical policy." Other supporters said they wanted to delay the vote because the Health Department is proposing to change its regulations to require all hospitals to inform and distribute EC. However, the Health Department's proposal, which is being reviewed on Oct. 18 by the state's Independent Regulatory Review Commission, would allow hospitals to opt out for religious reasons.

Supporters of the bill on Wednesday said that the measure had been discussed for months and the subject of several hearings, adding that it is the Legislature's job, not the Health Department's, to make laws. "I think we should stop being cowards and put our votes on the table," Rep. Louise Williams Bishop (D) said (Couloumbis, Philadelphia Inquirer, 10/4).

Rep. John Maher (R) said that even if hospitals are not forced to offer EC, Barr Laboratories' EC Plan B will be available over the counter in pharmacies. He added, "Rest assured that anyone 18 or older can acquire Plan B at any ... pharmacy in this state just by walking up to the counter and asking for it." Rep. Josh Shapiro (D) noted that rape survivors might not be in the position to shop for EC, adding that a "16-year-old girl cannot walk up to the counter, because she requires a prescription" (AP/CNNMoney.com, 10/3).

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