Iowa suspends provision of emergency contraception to sexual assault victims

Republican attorney general criticized by victim advocates that also ends state paying for abortions in similar circumstances

The Iowa attorney general's office has paused its practice of paying for emergency contraception - and in rare cases, abortions - for victims of sexual assault, a move that has drawn criticism from some victim advocates.

Federal regulations and state law require Iowa to pay many of the expenses for sexual assault victims who seek medical help, such as the costs of forensic exams and treatment for sexually transmitted infections. Under the previous attorney general, Democrat Tom Miller, Iowa's victim compensation fund also paid for Plan B, the so-called morning-after pill, as well as other treatments to prevent pregnancy.