Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Steve Rothman (D-NJ) is proud to re-introduce the Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies (CARE) Act. Since 2005, Congressman Rothman has introduced this bill each Congress to provide full access to emergency contraception in the emergency room.

“With one out of every six American women becoming a victim of rape or sexual assault in her lifetime, it is unacceptable to limit the care available to them in the emergency room. Unfortunately, today, in the U.S. House of Representatives we will vote on a Republican bill to place unprecedented limits to women’s health care. That is a wrong and misguided approach to this issue,” said Congressman Rothman. “I strongly believe that women, not the government or anyone else, must have full control over their health care decisions. Legislation should support that fundamental right, not weaken it. And while I understand how passionate people on both sides of this debate are, we all agree that we should avoid unintended pregnancies, especially in the case of rape or sexual assault.”

The CARE Act would prohibit any federal funds from being provided to a hospital, unless the hospital meets certain conditions related to a woman who is a victim of sexual assault, including: 

1.    Providing the woman with accurate and unbiased information about emergency contraception

2.    Offering emergency contraception to the woman

3.    Providing the woman such contraception at the hospital on her request

4.    Not denying any such services because of the inability of the woman or her family to pay