Iowa Halts Funding for Rape Victims' Abortion and Contraception

The Iowa Attorney General's Office has paused its practice of paying for emergency contraception and abortions for victims of sexual assault, drawing criticism from victim advocates. The payments were previously covered by Iowa's victim compensation fund under the previous attorney general, but are now on hold as part of a review of victim services by the new Republican Attorney General Brenna Bird. Victim advocates have called the move "deplorable and reprehensible." Money for the victim compensation fund comes from fines and penalties paid by convicted criminals, and state law requires the fund to pay for medical exams and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, but makes no mention of contraception or pregnancy risk.