The Iowa Attorney General’s Office announced that it was ending the practice of paying for emergency contraception and, in rare cases, abortions to victims of sexual assault, drawing criticism from some victim advocates.

Federal and state regulations require Iowa to pay for many of the costs of victims of sexual assault who seek medical attention, such as the cost of forensic tests and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases. Under the previous Attorney General, Democrat Tom Miller, the Iowa Compensation Fund also paid for Plan B, the so-called morning-after pill, as well as other treatments to prevent pregnancy.

“Attorney General Byrd is carefully assessing whether this is an appropriate use of public resources,” spokeswoman Alyssa Brouillette said. “Until this review is completed, payment of these outstanding claims will be deferred.”

In Iowa, money for the victims’ compensation fund comes from fines and penalties paid by convicted felons. For victims of sexual assault, state law provides that the foundation pays “the cost of the victim’s medical examination to gather evidence and the cost of treating the victim to prevent sexually transmitted diseases,” but does not mention contraception. or risk of pregnancy.

Federal Judge Suspends License to Sell Abortion Pills

Ten months after the landmark Supreme Court decision gave every US state the right to ban abortion on its territory, Judge Matthew Kasmaric, known for his extremely ultra-conservative views, issued an order Friday night to ban birth control pills in Texas. implemented throughout the country.

The government “strongly disagrees with this decision,” U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said as he announced the appeal and condemned the judge’s decision as “contrary to the opinion of experts from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) who have ruled for over 20 years. “. years that mifepristone is safe and effective.”

Source: Associated Press.