Lawmakers Not Happy About Rape Victims Being Billed For Treatment

Rape is a violent awful crime. The fact that this crime is so heinous and that it comes with a psychological stigma that can affect the victim for the rest of her life makes this horrible act even more offensive. To add insult to injury, many hospitals charge rape victims for the services they need after they have been victimized. Some state lawmakers are seeking to end that practice.

By federal law the standard rape kit must be made available to all victims free of charge. The extra charges that are being tacked on by hospitals include HIV testing, pregnancy testing, or medications that could prevent the victim from acquiring a sexually transmitted disease. The fact that these victims are being made to pay for testing that is crucial is deplorable in my opinion and I'm not the only one who thinks this way.

Slidell Representative Kevin Pearson and I see eye to eye on this issue,

"The perpetrator will get free healthcare for life once he's in jail but the victims are the ones are paying for treatment of these crimes,"

Pearson's comments were reported by the Louisiana Radio Network. In that same story Pearson went on to say,

"This is the very least of a service that we as a state and nation should provide,"

Pearson expressed concern that some victims of rape might not report the crime or seek treatment for fear of not being able to afford a hospital bill. Pearson is currently calling on legislators to make changes to the system that would allow the state and federal government to provide funding for this basic care for this horrific crime.