Hunter
08/25/23
Dozens of reimbursement requests for rape victims’ emergency contraception are still pending at Iowa State Attorney General Brenna Bird’s office after she paused the long-standing practice of covering those requests.
Records obtained by Planned Parenthood North Central States indicate the over 160 reimbursement requests total about $7500.
Most of the requests are from this year, but there are some that date as far back as 2021 and one goes back to August 2020.
Bird paused the reimbursements through the Crime Victim Compensation Program this spring, saying they were reviewing the practice to evaluate whether it was an appropriate use of public funds.
The program is funded through criminal fines and penalties and not taxpayer dollars. It covers such expenses for crime victims such as sexual assault exams, emergency contraception and abortions when necessary.
Under the program, medical providers bill the Attorney General’s office and not the victim or their insurance company for costs related to sexual assault exams.
Hospitals and pharmacies are reporting that the Attorney General’s office is deducting emergency contraception costs from their reimbursement statements.
Bird appeared on the Iowa PBS show Iowa Press earlier this month and said her office is still reviewing the practice of reimbursing victims for emergency contraception, but indicated that she intends to discontinue that part of the Crime Victim Compensation Program permanently.
Critics are calling for Bird to reinstate the policy, saying that because it’s not funded by taxpayer dollars there should be no reason to deny the reimbursement.
Johnson County Supervisor Rod Sullivan told the Gazette that they’re likely to fund emergency contraception costs with county funds. The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics is currently holding claims while it waits for a decision from the AG’s office.
Polk County has already unanimously voted to fund emergency contraception for rape victims using county funds.