State lawmakers are considering a proposal to require hospitals to tell rape victims about the morning-after pill and to provide it to those who want it.
The morning-after pill, a high dose of the same medication found in regular birth control pills, can prevent pregnancy if taken within 120 hours of intercourse but cannot end an established pregnancy.
The aim is to "ensure that a woman, who has already become a victim, is not left feeling victimized a second time by carrying a pregnancy for nine months and delivering a baby conceived during a violent act against her," said Sen. Connie Williams, D-Delaware, who introduced the legislation at a news conference yesterday along with Sen. Joe Conti, R-Bucks, and House Democratic Leader Bill DeWeese, D-Waynesburg.
The morning-after pill already has fueled controversy nationwide, with some groups fighting to make it available without a prescription and others attempting to ban it completely. But lawmakers yesterday said there's nothing controversial about providing the pill as an option to rape victims.
Post-Gazette
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