The state House is to be doubly applauded for passing the contraceptive rights bill. It did the right thing for women in an already difficult situation and faced down religious arguments that have no place deciding public policy.

We should not need laws mandating hospitals to inform women who have been raped about emergency contraception. It should be a standard of care without exception. A 2006 survey we did showed that of the 62 percent of Catholic hospitals that reported treating sexual assault patients, 86 percent routinely offer emergency contraception. So for Catholic hospitals in Michigan to oppose this move, when so many others have already decided that Catholic teaching allows it, seems perverse. Women in Michigan deserve better from their Catholic hospitals.

This letter originally appeared in the 4 July 2008 edition of the Detroit News