The state of Virginia denied a 29-year-old date rape victim access to healthcare because Virginia Medicad says her abortion will not be covered.
Under the Hyde Amendment, Medicare is to pay for any abortion that is the result of rape or incest or if the woman's life is in danger. Eariler this summer, a 29-year-old woman was the victim of date rape. She immediately sought crisis intervention counseling after the incident.This counseling included conversations with a Catholic priest.
Once she found out she was pregnant and a decision was made to terminate the pregnancy, the woman contacted Medicare to make sure the abortion would be covered. Medicare officials informed her they only cover life endangerment cases in Virginia. Unable to pay for the abortion herself, the woman contacted the National Abortion Federation for assistance. NAF made numerous calls to Medicad. Four officials told NAF the same thing the waman was told.
Pro-choices across the nation are wondering why Virginia does not have to comply with Federal laws.
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