The state Assembly Judiciary and Ethics Committee amended Assembly Bill 377 yesterday, which mandated that hospitals provide information and access on emergency contraception to rape victims.
The amendment replaces many key components of the bill, addressing its opponent's complaints and angering initial supporters.
The bill, which previously passed with bipartisan support in the Democratic-controlled Senate 27-6, was amended by a 6-4 vote along party lines in the Republican controlled Assembly committee.
The bill originally required all Wisconsin emergency rooms to provide rape victims information and access to emergency contraception.
Yesterday's amendment made it so individual providers do not have to inform victims about emergency contraception, but are required to find a provider who will.
Kelda Helen Roys, the executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin, said she was disappointed at the committee's vote along party lines. Roys said the amendment is worse for rape victims than no legislation at all.
[The amendment] makes [rape victims] the only category of patients in the state that have no recourse in the event that a doctor commits malpractice,"" Roys said, saying withholding medical information is shocking.
State Rep. Samantha Kerkman, R-Burlington, voted for the amendment and said it protects health care providers who object to the practice.
""The testimony at the hearing shed light on health-care providers who might have a conscious objection to prescribing or giving someone the pill,"" Kerkman said.
State Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, said in a statement that he was disappointed with the committee's action. Pocan said he intends to make sure all options are still available for future legislative action on the bill.
""Extremist politics has no place in health policy in our state,"" Pocan said in the statement.
According to the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault, 33 percent of Wisconsin hospitals unconditionally give emergency contraception to victims. Also 21 counties in the state have no hospitals that provide access to emergency contraception.
Nationally, 10 states already have similar legislation in place and both Pocan and Roys said they are optimistic the bill will pass in the full Assembly without the amendment.
Over 80 percent of Wisconsin voters support the original bill, according to Roys.
Roys said the bill shows how far birth control opponents are willing to go to deny health care.
""They are willing to turn their back on rape victims, essentially punishing them again,"" Roys said.
