Alice virtually NONE of that NYT story is true as any quick check could confirm.

There was never any evidence that victims were being charged by any police departments including Wasilla's Police Department under Palin.
Testimony instead indicates it was hospitals that attempted to bill victims on rare occasions of insensitivity.

In addition protective mechanisms were in place in Alaska that would have picked up the cost of such kits, even if State law had not changed in 2000.

The State of Alaska Violent Crimes Compensation Board (VCCB) was "was established in 1971 by the Alaskan Legislature to help bring financial relief to innocent victims of violent crimes in Alaska."

Among the things the VCCB would pay for are the medical bills of victims of violent crimes (including sexual assaults), counseling, and transportation to medical and counseling services.

A former worker with VCCB notes

'Rape kits and other medical expenses of this type would be paid by the VCCB, 100% guaranteed. The City of Wasilla could have technically 'charged' the victim but even if they did, the VCCB would have paid the bill in full. I still know the a few of the Board members and the supervisor and I can tell you that they are very liberal with the way that they pay the victims bills.'

The 'rumour still lives' because people whose main concern is to portray Palin as some kind of human demon, far from refuting her actual views, are detirmined to use any kind of despicable lies and sick 'humour' for character assasination.