SEN. WILLIAMS ON THE NEED FOR C.A.R.E. ACT
Written by State Senator Connie Williams

 To the Editor:

 I’d like to thank the Patriot News for printing a fair and unbiased article on what women face after they are raped. The story illustrated the problems one mid-state woman encountered as she tried to seek appropriate care to ensure that she would not become pregnant by her rapist.

 Because access to emergency contraception is not an uncommon occurrence, several of my colleagues and I have proposed legislation to protect women who are already victims. The C.A.R.E. Act, or Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies, would empower rape victims to regain control of their lives and to decrease the number of unwanted pregnancies (and abortions) in the state.

 Under proposed legislation (H.B. 2159 and S.B. 990), Pennsylvania hospitals would be required to provide comprehensive care for rape victims when they seek emergency room care. After a sexual assault, like rape, women may not be ready to go to the police, but they often can be persuaded to seek medical treatment from their local hospital. Hospitals are safe environments that can help a woman begin the long process of healing. Hospitals can help women to regain their sense of security.

 Don’t hospitals have an obligation to treat all emergencies? Isn’t it good medical practice to provide complete information for every patient, and in the case of a rape victim, shouldn’t this include providing access to a rape counselor and information on the availability of emergency contraception? And if medical practitioners can’t put aside their personal beliefs, shouldn’t they ensure that the rape victim can speak with a rape counselor, who can fully inform the victim of her options? Victims should have the choice about taking this step and they shouldn’t have to drive an hour away to have the prescription filled. Unlike the quote in the front page article on Tuesday, obtaining prescription medication following a traumatic event is nothing like driving an hour to buy a pair of denim jeans.

 In addition to being one of two prime sponsors of the C.A.R.E. Act in the Senate, I also am sponsor of legislation (SB 1089) that would require pharmacies to dispense, order or transfer any customer’s legal prescriptions, including contraceptives. Under the bill, if a pharmacist refused to comply, another pharmacist who is employed by the pharmacy would be required to fill the prescription.

 It is estimated that more than 25,000 women become pregnant from rape each year. If each victim had been provided with emergency contraception, 88 percent of those pregnancies could have been prevented.

 Emergency contraception is a high dose of the same medication found in regular birth control pills. It can prevent pregnancy, but does not end an established pregnancy (it is not the French abortion pill RU-486). It should be taken within hours after a rape crisis.

 C.A.R.E. is about victim’s rights. It is about helping a rape victim to regain her sense of self and control of her world. C.A.R.E. can ensure that a woman, who has already become a victim, is not left feeling victimized a second time by carrying a pregnancy for nine months and delivering a child conceived during a violent act against her. It is time that Pennsylvania stands up and cares about all victims.

Sincerely,
Constance H. Williams
State Senator
17^th District