UPDATE: The state House angered advocates of women's health today by postponing a vote on a bill dealing with hospital care for rape victims.
House Bill 288 would require hospitals to inform a woman who has been sexually assaulted of the availability of emergency contraception and to administer it if she requests it. Sometimes called morning after pills, the high dosage birth control pills prevent ovulation in the woman and prevents fertilization of an egg if there are sperm present.
Advocates of the bill stressed that the procedure is not an abortion because there is no fertilized egg to terminate.
Original Post:
House Bill 288 would mandate all hospitals and medical personnel to distribute the "morning after" pill to rape victims. This bill HB 288 is supposed to be voted on in the PA House on Wed. Oct. 3 - it is vital that you contact your state representative and "beg" him to vote NO on HB 288.
There are many reasons to be opposed - conscience rights of health care professionals and facilities must be preserved. The bill does not require the health care to report the crime of rape - other emergency room crimes (e.g., gunshot wounds) must be reported to law enforcement so the perpetrators can be tracked down and prosecuted. Why not the rapist?
This drug is an abortifacient because if prevents implantation. Rape victims deserve the best medical care available, but that care should be consistent with a sanctity of life ethic and also respect the right of conscience of religious-affiliated hospitals and physicians. This bill is supported by Planned Parenthood and the manufacturer of this morning after pill. Please call your state representative's office on Wed. Oct. 5 and ask as many people as you can to make these calls.
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