Compassionate Care for Rape Victims (CARE) Bill Introduced in Ohio House

Cleveland – Two important bills were introduced in the Ohio House today by Rep. Dan Stewart (D-Columbus). The bills complement portions of the Ohio Prevention First Act which is supported by Planned Parenthood.

HB 560, Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies Act, would make it the standard of care for hospital emergency rooms to offer emergency contraception (EC) and prophylactic treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STI) to victims of sexual assault, without regard to the ability of the victim to pay.

EC is a time-sensitive, FDA-approved medication that works just like birth control. It can be taken within 120 hours of unprotected sex and is 89% effective when taken within the first 72 hours. EC will not harm or terminate an existing pregnancy.

“It is very important for a victim of sexual assault to be put at ease through provision of these services,” said Tara Broderick, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Northeast Ohio. “We are very proud that most of the cosponsors of this bill are from Northeast Ohio.” Northeast Ohio cosponsors of the bill include Rep. Barbara Boyd (D-Cleveland Heights), Rep. Jennifer Brady (D-Westlake), Rep. Mike Foley (D-Cleveland), Rep. Bobby Hagan (D-Youngstown), Rep. Tom Letson (D-Warren), Rep. Mike Skindell (DLakewood), Rep. Steve Slesnick (D-Canton), Rep. Vernon Sykes (D-Akron), and Rep. Kenny Yuko (D-Richmond Heights).

HB 561, Contraceptive Equity, simply prohibits insurance policies that cover prescription drugs and outpatient services from excluding contraceptive drugs, devises and services. “This is a no-brainer,” said Broderick. “If insurance covers Viagra, it should cover birth control. Birth control is mainstream health care, used by 98% of women at some point in their lives.”

Planned Parenthood of Northeast Ohio is a recent consolidation of Planned Parenthood of Greater Cleveland, Planned Parenthood of North Central Ohio, Planned Parenthood of Stark County, Planned Parenthood of Summit, Portage and Medina Counties, and Planned Parenthood of the Mahoning Valley. We provide essential reproductive health care services to more than 50,000 women and men in our local Northeast Ohio communities. We serve as a leader in breast and cervical cancer screening and prevention, as well as prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted disease. We supply medically accurate sexuality education to thousands of young people and their parents.

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