Federal law requires forensic exams to be free for victims of sexual violence, but many patients still receive large bills.
The Violence Against Women Act, a federal law enacted in 1994, stipulates that sexual assault victims cannot be charged for a forensic exam, which involves treating people for immediate injuries and collecting evidence needed for an investigation such as samples of blood, urine, skin or hair.
The new bill was introduced by Reps. Linda T. Sánchez, D-Calif.; Gwen Moore, D-Wis.; and Carol Miller, R-W.Va. It would give the departments of Labor, the Treasury, and Health and Human Services the authority to designate types of providers beyond SANEs who'd be eligible to give forensic exams that would be fully covered by private insurance, starting in 2025.
Additionally, the bill, called the No Surprises for Survivors Act, stipulates that forensic medical exams should be considered an emergency service under the No Surprises Act, a 2020 law that protects people with private insurance from receiving surprise medical bills for certain forms of emergency care.
"Unfortunately, many survivors still find themselves stuck with unexpected charges," Sánchez said in a statement. "Our bipartisan bill will help right that wrong."
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