A recent bill passed in Wisconsin, requiring hospitals to give emergency contraception to rape victims who request it, represents a duel victory. For one, this is victory for the women of Wisconsin. I believe that having access to birth control is a basic right for American women in today’s society, not to mention especially in the situation of rape. I wish the bill would require free access to ALL women who wanted the drug, but I suppose I must take one victory at a time.

I find it amazing that people today, including members of the organization Pro-Life Wisconsin, still believe that the Emergency Contraception pill is a form of abortion. While I do not support the pro-life platform, I can at least understand the complexity of the abortion issue. I can appreciate the arguments of the pro-life camp and know that it is not black and white, even questioning my own firm beliefs in my opinion at times. That being said, Emergency Contraception is a completely separate entity. The science of the drug illustrates that it prevents either the fertilization of an egg or the implantation of a fertilized egg in a woman’s uterus. Thus, this pill is not an “abortion pill” at all, but rather it is one that stops unwanted pregnancies—ones that may lead to abortion—from occurring in the first place. Is this not something that the pro-life camp would want?

Additionally, the passing of this bill is also a victory for partisan politics. Republican Representative Terry Musser was criticized by her party for her support of the bill. Despite their protests, Terry continued with her support and consequently received a special mentioning during the bill-signing ceremony. I commend Terry for being able to look past partisan politics and for putting the rights of American women first.