Bird should help all victims

Last week, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird announced that dollars from the Crime Victim Compensation Program will pay the cost of emergency contraception for sexual assault victims. But the state will no longer cover the cost of rare abortions.

After a 17-month audit, Bird’s office concluded emergency contraception, also known as Plan B, should be reimbursed by the state to help victims act quickly to prevent a pregnancy in the wake of sexual violence. It was a conclusion that seemed immediately obvious to a lot of Iowans, including those who work to assist victims.

The delay was Irresponsible. During he audit there were 362 requests for emergency contraception reimbursement. Victims received Plan B, but providers were left in limbo without state payments. All the delay accomplished was adding an unnecessary source of anxiety for victims.

During those 17 months, Bird refused to answer questions about the audit and would not provide information on its progress. It seemed the audit was designed to scrap the entire reimbursement program. Fortunately, Bird allowed Plan B payments to continue.

But all victims won’t get help. There are cases, including one in the last 17 months, where an abortion was needed. Just because the cases are rare doesn’t mean the anguish and trauma felt by victims seeking an abortion are less compelling. Bird’s policy will force rape victims who can’t afford an abortion to carry their rapist’s baby to term.

This change serves no public safety purpose. All it really does is burnish Bird’s hard-line anti-abortion record. Playing politics with the fate of sexual assault victims is unconscionable.

Even the draconian six-week abortion ban approved by Statehouse Republicans, which is under judicial review, includes an exception for rape victims who report the crime within 45 days. Bird has decided her office will make no exceptions at all when it comes to reimbursement.

Yes, we’re glad emergency contraception reimbursement will continue. It’s a good decision. But if a victim wants to terminate a pregnancy, why should Bird, who ran as a strong advocate for crime victims, stand in the way? She should stand down and put the previous policy back in place.

(319) 398-8262; editorial@thegazette.com