Ban on billing rape victims for exams passed by Legislature
Source: Associated Press
Ban on billing rape victims for exams passed by Legislature
By BRIAN SLODYSKO, Associated Press | June 2, 2015 | Updated: June 2, 2015 7:12pm
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — The commonplace practice of billing rape victims in Louisiana for medical exams should come to an end after state lawmakers Tuesday signed off on proposed law changes that the federal government has required for a decade.
Ten years ago they identified that there was this particular problem," said Rep. Helena Moreno, D-New Orleans, who sponsored the legislation as well as a companion proposal that reimburses hospitals with unclaimed gambling winnings. But until recently nothing of consequence was done, Moreno said.
Now, both her proposals are headed to Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal after receiving final legislative passage with two unanimous House votes Tuesday. Jindal supports the measures and is expected to sign them into law.
Moreno credited several rape victims who came forward over the past year, publicizing thousands of dollars in medical bills they received. Some displayed their bills in legislative committees while delivering moving testimony.
Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/Ban-on-billing-rape-victims-for-exams-passed-by-6302479.php
= new reply since forum marked as read
