Senate Dems Unveil Bill To Boost Access To Emergency Contraception For Rape Victims

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., chair of the Senate Budget Committee, joined at left by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., meet with reporters to urge passage of legislation to restore unemployment insurance bene... Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., chair of the Senate Budget Committee, joined at left by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., meet with reporters to urge passage of legislation to restore unemployment insurance benefits which expired Dec. 28, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) MORE LESS
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A group of Senate Democrats introduced legislation on Tuesday which would require federally funded hospitals—under Medicare or Medicaid—to provide emergency contraception to rape victims who request it.

The “Emergency Contraception Access and Education Act of 2014” was co-sponsored by Sens. Patty Murray (D-WA), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Cory Booker (D-NJ).

It says a contraceptive drug must be provided if it is approved by the FDA and “prevents pregnancy primarily by preventing or delaying ovulation, and does not terminate an established pregnancy.”

The bill also requires the hospitals to submit data about emergency contraceptives.

Democrats are actively using the issue of contraceptive coverage as a political cudgel against Republicans in the run-up to the November midterm elections.

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