NEW YORK, (Reuters Health) -- More than half of New York State
hospitals fail to routinely provide emergency contraception -- the 'morning
after' pill -- to women who report to the emergency room after being raped,
according to a survey released Tuesday by the National Abortion and Reproductive
Rights Action League (NARAL).
Of the 54% of hospitals that fail to provide emergency contraception, 31%
specifically said they do not tell patients about this option, and 23% have no
clear policy, according to the NARAL report.
The survey was conducted by telephone over a 3-month period earlier this
year. All 215 hospitals in the state with emergency rooms were called twice.
During one call, they were asked to respond as part of a survey. In the other
call, a social worker calling on behalf of a client who had been raped asked
about hospital policy regarding emergency contraception.
Offering high-dose birth control pills to prevent pregnancy after rape is
accepted medical protocol for all emergency departments, according to Dr.
Stephan G. Lynn of St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center in Manhattan.
"I can't imagine why they're not doing this," Lynn told Reuters Health.
"There may be religious reasons, but I think in this situation, the physician
has to give the patient the choice."
Catholic-run hospitals were especially unlikely to offer emergency
contraception, even though it would eliminate any need for abortion if the
victim becomes pregnant. Only 8 of the 38 Catholic-run emergency departments
surveyed said they offered the option. Catholic hospitals offering post-rape
contraception included St. Vincent's Hospital in Manhattan, Sisters of Charity
Hospital in Buffalo, and Mount St. Mary's Hospital in Lewiston.
But speakers at Roosevelt Hospital in Manhattan, where the survey was
announced, said that Catholic hospitals that fail to offer emergency
contraception are ignoring the Directive for Catholic Health Care Services
issued by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops in 1994. The directive
specifically allows emergency contraception after rape in victims who are not
already pregnant.
Several lawmakers have pledged to introduce legislation in January that
would specifically require hospitals to provide emergency contraception to rape
victims. They also hope the report will encourage action by the state's
Department of Health.
"It's a disgrace that we had to let NARAL tell us what is going on in New
York hospitals," said Senator Eric T. Schneiderman (D-Manhattan, 30th District).
"This is an embarrassment. I look forward to resolving this very very quickly."
