NYCLU Praises University's Decision to Add Birth Control, Abortion Coverage to Student Health Plan

January 31, 2001 12:00 am


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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 31, 2001

NEW YORK– The New York Civil Liberties Union today praised New York University’s decision to change its student health insurance plan to include reproductive health care coverage for women students.

“New York University has done the right thing by adding coverage of reproductive health needs to its student health insurance plan,” said Donna Lieberman, Interim Executive Director of the NYCLU.

In a Jan. 26 letter to NYU President Jay Oliva, the NYCLU had called upon the university to remove these exclusions from its health insurance policies because they unfairly discriminated against women students.

Hundreds of students had signed a petition calling for the addition of prescription contraceptives, emergency contraception and abortion to the student health insurance plan.

Beginning August 21, 2001, under its revised student health care plan, the university will include coverage for oral contraceptives, contraceptive devices, emergency contraception, and abortion.

“We are gratified that NYU has responded to students’ concerns and decided to cover women’s health needs equitably and fairly.” said Mallory Curran, a student at New York University School of Law and a coordinator of INSURE (Informed Students United for Reproductive Equity), a student coalition which advocated for a change in health insurance.

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