Connecticut university to pay for students’ abortions, including transportation to clinics

A liberal arts university in Connecticut recently announced that it would cover the costs of students’ abortions, including transportation to and from clinics.

Wesleyan University, which currently enrolls approximately 3,200 students, agreed to offer free emergency contraceptives and help pay for abortions for its students who wish to terminate their pregnancies starting in the 2023 fall semester.

The school already provides free birth control through its health center. The decision was made to expand Wesleyan’s reproductive services following demands from the school’s Young Democratic Socialist of America club.

The club launched a petition urging the school to “better provide accessible care to people with uteruses.”

According to the YDSA club, access to abortion is “an equal justice issue” that Wesleyan should provide to its students.

The club demanded free emergency contraceptives for all students, “covered cost for off-campus abortions, INCLUDING safe transportation to and from the clinic regardless of insurance plan,” “assistance for those seeking care during summer breaks, winter breaks, and while abroad where possible,” and additional distribution of reproduction health care information.

“By adopting such policies, Wesleyan could cement its status as an institution that values the wellbeing of its students, especially their reproductive rights and equality, by taking a more proactive stance against conservative attacks on reproductive justice,” the club’s petition stated.

The YDSA club argued that providing access to abortions “serves as an important framework for resisting white supremacist, colonialist, and capitalist forms of control.”

After the club collected over 700 signatures, the university agreed to the club’s demands.

“Starting in the fall semester 2023, DHC will provide all emergency contraceptives (Plan B and Ella) free of charge,” Wesleyan University said in a written statement. “Consistent with the health center’s mission to provide education and support in the decision-making process, students will be able to access emergency contraceptives by consulting with a nurse at DHC. The University will rely on a student’s insurance plan to pay for abortion services but will offer financial assistance to any student whose insurance does not cover abortions and/or pay co-pays and deductibles after insurance has been filed. Wesleyan University has long provided financial support for those in need beyond what their medical insurance might cover. At a time when reproductive freedom is being threatened around the country, Wesleyan is dedicated to providing students with support for free emergency contraception or for the decision to terminate a pregnancy.”

Peter Wolfgang, the executive director of the Family Institute of Connecticut, told WTNH-TV that he was “saddened” by the university’s decision to fund abortions for students and urged the school to reconsider its stance.

“If Wesleyan is willing to pay for the abortions of its student, then it ought to pay for the live birth for their students as well, including child care for the students, who are attending classes and interviewing for jobs, and medical care, too,” Wolfgang said.

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