September 27, 2007 – Research conducted by Ibis staff is cited in the Emergency Contraception (EC) Education Act of 2007, sponsored by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA). Recognizing that EC can be a safe and effective means of preventing unintended pregnancy, but that EC use and awareness are low, the bill proposes the creation of an EC public awareness and education program. Among its findings, the bill references Ibis’s research on the availability of EC in hospital emergency rooms. The study cited, which was published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine, included a survey of emergency room staff at Catholic and non-Catholic hospitals in the US and was authored by Ms. Teresa Harrison, SM. The study found that 42% of non-Catholic hospitals and 55% of Catholic hospitals said they do not dispense EC for any reason, including sexual assault. Further, very few hospitals provide EC without restrictions, even though EC is safe and has no contraindications, will not harm an existing pregnancy, and is most effective if taken within 24 hours of unprotected intercourse. Ibis commends Senator Murray and the bill’s co-sponsors for proposing this legislation. For more information about the study, please contact admin(at)ibisreproductivehealth.org.