Doyle signs contraception bill
by Patrick Marley ¦ Wisconsin State Journal Online ¦ 13 March 2008 Gov. Jim Doyle today signed a bill requiring hospitals to provide emergency contraception to rape victims who ask for it.
The new law - which will take effect in about 10 days - would require hospitals to inform rape victims about the availability and effectiveness of emergency contraception and tell them about their ability to report the assault to law enforcement. The hospitals must provide emergency contraception upon request.
"The bill I am signing today guarantees that survivors of sexual assault aren't further traumatized by our health-care system," Doyle said at a Capitol ceremony.
Emergency contraception, also known as the morning-after pill, is a high-dose birth-control bill that can stop an egg from being released by the ovary, prevent fertilization and stop a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus.
Linda Gage, a rape victim who told her story in committee hearings to advocate for the bill, thanked Doyle and lawmakers for changing the law.
"This law tells me, my daughters and the women of Wisconsin that our health and well being does matter to our government," she said.
Doyle was surrounded by more than a dozen Democratic lawmakers and Republican Reps. Terry Musser of Black River Galls and Jeff Wood of Chippewa Falls. The two bucked party leaders to ensure the bill was passed.
Opponents said the state should not mandate the requirement on hospitals that might object to it on religious or moral grounds because they believe emergency contraception in some cases amounts to a chemical abortion.
"It is a simple fact that if Terry Musser hadn't been willing to fight some very difficult fights in some very difficult venues, we wouldn't be signing this today," Doyle said.
Responded Musser: "Don't remind my caucus."
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