Conn. Hospitals' 'Reluctance' To Dispense EC To Rape Survivors Prompts Advocates To Call For Bill Requiring Provision Of Drug

The "continuing reluctance" of some Connecticut hospitals to provide emergency contraception to rape survivors has prompted some women's advocates to call on the state Legislature to pass legislation (SB 685) that would require all hospitals to provide EC as part of rape examinations, the Hartford Courant reports. According to Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Services, a group representing rape counselors, 40% of rape survivors in the state who were accompanied by counselors during examinations in the first six months of 2006 either were not offered EC -- which can prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of sexual intercourse -- or were not given the full two doses of the drug. Laura Cordes, director of policy and advocacy for the group, said possible reasons that rape survivors did not receive EC include a lack of awareness among hospital workers that they could provide the pills and a reluctance to give patients the second dose of the drug, which must be taken 12 hours after the first dose when the patient has left the hospital. According to the Courant, the Roman Catholic Church is opposed to EC because it prevents implantation, which the church "equate[s] with abortion," and Catholic hospitals in the state will dispense the drug only after the patient has undergone a test to determine she is not ovulating. Barry Feldman, spokesperson for the state's four Catholic hospitals, said the legislation -- filed by state Sen. Mary Ann Handley (D) last week -- would violate a law that restricts the state interference with religious freedom. "I hope we can find a solution that does not interfere with Catholic hospitals' freedom of religion," Feldman said. Although FDA in August 2006 approved EC for nonprescription sales to women ages 18 and older, Cordes said hospitals should still provide the drug to rape survivors in part because it is more effective when taken immediately. The state reimburses hospitals that provide EC as part of a rape exam, and women have to pay $40 to $60 to purchase EC from a pharmacy, according to the Courant. Legislation similar to Handley's measure did not pass last year (Waldman, Hartford Courant, 1/19).

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