Iowa halts payment for rape victims' emergency contraception and abortion pills.

The Iowa Attorney General's Office has paused its practice of paying for emergency contraception and, in rare cases, abortions for victims of sexual assault, drawing criticism from victim advocates. The move is part of a review of victim services by the new Republican Attorney General Brenna Bird. Under the previous attorney general, Iowa's victim compensation fund paid for Plan B and other treatments to prevent pregnancy. Victim advocates were caught off guard by the pause, calling it "deplorable and reprehensible." Money for the victim compensation fund comes from fines and penalties paid by convicted criminals.