Dear Editor,
Planned Parenthood Generation Action at University of Idaho
On Friday, Oct. 6, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued new rules impacting access to birth control coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The administration released two rules: one offering an exemption based on religious beliefs, and a second offering an exemption based on moral beliefs.
While these rules are not currently in effect, that could change at any time, and it is important for us to know that our birth control coverage is secure. These rules would allow college and University Presidents and Board members to decide not to cover birth control if they have a religious or moral objection. This rule threatens birth control access for students that get their health care through college and university health plans.
We, members of Generation Action and the UI community, have called on the University of Idaho to stand with other colleges and universities to affirm to employees and students that they will continue to provide coverage for birth control in the campus health insurance policy.
College students have limited incomes and many could not afford to pay for birth control out of pocket if their colleges decided to take away their basic health care. According to the Guttmacher Institute, being able to get the pill before age 21 has been found to be the most influential factor in enabling women already in college to stay in college.
We have called on Chuck Staben and the Board of Regents to express support for access to birth control in the following ways:
1. Participate in social media
2. Send an email to students and staff with commitment to continue to provide access to their birth control coverage
3. Issue a public statement
Sincerely,
Cassie Hettinga, Member of Planned Parenthood Generation Action at University of Idaho
Math Secondary Education