Action delayed on emergency contraceptive bill
by Andrew Beckett ¦ Wisconsin Radio Network ¦ 12 December 2007 The state Assembly moves a step closer to taking up legislation requiring Wisconsin hospitals to make the morning after pill available to rape victims. Lawmakers debated the bill late into Tuesday night. State Representative Mark Pocan (D-Madison) argued it's needed to protect the rights of victims. Pocan says only a third of Wisconsin hospitals currently make the drug available, forcing women to shop around for basic health care during a crisis. However, State Representative Dan LeMahieu (R-Cascade) raised concerns that using the morning after pill could result in an abortion. He says the drug can stop the implantation of a fertilized egg, which some believe halts an already established pregnancy. Other Republicans also raised concerns about requiring doctors to offer the drug, even if they have moral objections to its use. Lawmakers adopted an amendment to the bill, but failed to get it to a third reading. They won't have a chance to take it up again until January.
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