janelle
07-18-2003, 11:06 PM
New York conference accepts revised bill on emergency contraception
ALBANY, N.Y. (CNS) --
The New York State Catholic Conference withdrew its objections to legislation mandating that hospital emergency rooms provide "emergency contraception" drugs to survivors of rape, after the language was amended to resolve church concerns.
The bill, which was awaiting the signature of New York Gov. George Pataki as of July 16, calls for such drugs as long as they "are not contraindicated, the woman is not pregnant, and it is within a medically appropriate amount of time from the attack," according to a statement from the conference, which represents the bishops of the state's eight Catholic dioceses.
Catholic hospitals "currently administer these drugs to rape survivors" under those conditions, the statement said. Richard E. Barnes, executive director of the Albany-based conference, said in the statement that Catholic hospitals "are second to none in providing compassionate, holistic care to survivors of rape. This legislation will not affect how that care is provided. Catholic hospitals in New York will continue to offer these medications to rape survivors, consistent with this law and with church teaching."
ALBANY, N.Y. (CNS) --
The New York State Catholic Conference withdrew its objections to legislation mandating that hospital emergency rooms provide "emergency contraception" drugs to survivors of rape, after the language was amended to resolve church concerns.
The bill, which was awaiting the signature of New York Gov. George Pataki as of July 16, calls for such drugs as long as they "are not contraindicated, the woman is not pregnant, and it is within a medically appropriate amount of time from the attack," according to a statement from the conference, which represents the bishops of the state's eight Catholic dioceses.
Catholic hospitals "currently administer these drugs to rape survivors" under those conditions, the statement said. Richard E. Barnes, executive director of the Albany-based conference, said in the statement that Catholic hospitals "are second to none in providing compassionate, holistic care to survivors of rape. This legislation will not affect how that care is provided. Catholic hospitals in New York will continue to offer these medications to rape survivors, consistent with this law and with church teaching."