Sexual Assault Survivors Care Bill before congress
Please read the story of the woman who was one of the reasons for this bill. be prepared, though)
. . . . .
The report's findings, coupled with accounts like Leah's, have spurred new legislation that aims to help survivors get access to specialized care.
The Survivors' Access to Supportive Care Act, introduced in Congress on Wednesday by Sen. Patty Murray (D-Washington), aims to improve access to qualified examiners through various means.
Echoing findings in the report, the bill addresses a fundamental deficit in health care for sexual assault survivors: no federal oversight of SANE programs and no national standards for training and certifying examiners.
The bill "would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a national training and continuing education program, to be tested and incorporated by health care providers nationwide," a Murray aide said.
The bill would appropriate $12 million to support a pilot grant program that would expand training and state-level surveys to evaluate needs.
. . . . .
http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/18/health/sexual-assault-examiner-shortage/
Murray, Boxer, Blumenthal, Warren, Booker Introduce Bill to Increase Emergency Contraception Access and Education
Sep 23 2014
Despite improved availability of emergency contraception, provider and patient awareness still lacking
Bill focuses on increased access and education for sexual assault survivors
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Cory Booker (D-NJ) announced they have introduced the Emergency Contraception Access and Education Act of 2014. The legislation would require any hospital receiving federal funding under Medicare or Medicaid to provide survivors of sexual assault with accurate and unbiased information about emergency contraception (EC) and promptly provide EC if the patient so requests it. In addition, hospitals must provide these services to survivors of sexual assault regardless of their ability to pay.
“Emergency contraception is a safe, responsible and effective means of preventing unintended pregnancies – a goal we all should share,” said Senator Murray. “Unfortunately, in spite of its increased availability, emergency contraception remains an underused prevention method in the United States, especially for survivors of sexual assault. I’m proud to introduce this legislation with my colleagues who understand the importance of educating both provider and patient on this critical element of a woman’s health care. Sexual assault survivors deserve access to a full range of quality health care, and that includes emergency contraception,” said Senator Boxer. “This bill will ensure that emergency rooms provide women with accurate information about their options and timely medical care when they need it most.”
“Survivors of sexual assault have a right to all support, services, and treatments that they need in order to avoid additional suffering following an assault,” said Senator Blumenthal. “The Emergency Contraception Access and Education Act guarantees that women will receive medical care that is appropriate after a sexual assault – a requirement that has been in place in Connecticut for more than seven years. It is time for the rest of the country to follow Connecticut’s lead and ensure that women everywhere have the same protections and secure, safe access to contraception.”
"We must protect women's access to reproductive health services, especially to emergency contraception, which is currently being denied to some women at the point of care -- even when they are victims of sexual assault," said Senator Warren. "This bill is a significant step that will give doctors the tools they need to provide women with more information and critical care. No woman should be forced to endure the trauma of sexual assault and the potential unintended outcomes without knowing all of the options available to her,” said Senator Booker. “I am pleased to join my colleagues to introduce legislation that ensures victims are not only treated compassionately but also given timely, unhindered access to emergency contraception.”
http://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=6fa74492-e58a-4765-b4f3-c9a0b6950b5e