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Birth Control Accessibility for Campbell Graduate Students

UPDATE (4/19/19):

One of the signees has notified us of a detailed insurance coverage document that we were not aware of during our initial research nor could have had access to. This document is very important for the following reasons:

o It states that ALL forms of contraceptives for their contraceptive purposes ARE COVERED under preventive care service.

    • However, in all of the resources we had gathered before, this detail was no where to be found and language was vague at best. Even the insurance reps did not have a clear answer, leading to confusion among various clinics and students (some even getting their claims for coverage denied).That led us to believe that this service was not covered. Clearly, there are conflicting information.
      • Hence, we need 1) clarity from CU and UnitedHealthcare on their ultimate stance on whether the above statement is true, 2) they would need consistency in the information provided to the public and 3) confirm that UnitedHealthcare will NOT deny claims any longer for students/customers seeking this service.

o It states that Student Health Center should be covering 100% of Covered Medical Expenses, which includes preventive care service. 

    • As we know already, this is not how Campbell's clinic is run.
      • Hence, we need Campbell's clinic to 1) clarify on their stance as it reflects the services that needs to provide to its students per school's student insurance policy and 2) to ultimately provide ALL forms of contraceptives to its students per insurance policy regardless of its religious stance.

Below content reflects the revisions we've made based on the new findings. PLEASE READ IN ITS ENTIRETY OF ITS UPDATED VERSION!

We are learning as we go, so we appreciate your understanding!

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Petition summary (TL;DR):

Currently, Campbell's Student Health Center (CSHC) does not prescribe oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) or other forms of contraceptives for the primary purpose of pregnancy prevention to non-married students. However, CSHC will prescribe OCPs to patients who claim to have symptoms related to their menstrual cycle that may be treated with OCPs (such as pain, bloating, excessive bleeding, etc). CSHC will also prescribe OCPs for the primary purpose of pregnancy prevention ONLY IF the patient is married. Furthermore, Campbell Pharmacy does not carry or provide contraceptives in any form.

This is unacceptable. Access to contraceptives is a healthcare service that should be provided to all students who desire it.

We are asking Campbell to expand their birth control prescription and coverage to include:

1. Those who use it for the primary purpose of pregnancy prevention.

2. Those who are unmarried.

3. OCPs to be available at the Campbell Pharmacy

 

Full petition: 

To the Campbell University administration,

 

We, the undersigned, have come to understand that there are certain limitations to the medical care that graduate students are able to receive at Campbell's Student Health Center (CSHC), specifically in relation to pregnancy prevention. Also, there lacks clarity on health insurance coverage of birth control as preventive service for pregnancy. Currently, we are aware of the following facts:

 

Fact 1. CSHC does not prescribe oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) or provide other forms of contraceptives for the primary purpose of pregnancy prevention.

  • However, CSHC will prescribe OCPs for patients who claim to have symptoms related to their menstrual cycle that may be treated with OCPs, such as but not limited to pain, bloating, or excessive bleeding.

  • CSHC will prescribe OCPs for the primary purpose of pregnancy prevention if the patient is married.

 

Fact 2. The CSHC Pharmacy does not carry or provide contraceptives in any form.

 

Fact 3. Campbell University, in coordination with UnitedHealthcare (which provides health insurance for graduate students), do not provide clear, specific information on the accessibility and coverage of birth control for purposes of pregnancy prevention.

  • Rather, various resources (booklets, contract files, pamphlets, their customer service representatives) provide conflicting information, leading to confusion for students and clinics.

  • Some students have already been denied by UnitedHealthcare for coverage of birth control for the sole purpose of pregnancy prevention.

 

We, the undersigned, consider this policy and establishment in-effect as inappropriate, unacceptable, and inconsistent with the core values and standards that reflect the rich diversity and pluralistic community of Campbell University. Access to contraceptives is part of an essential healthcare service that should be equally provided to the entire student body of Campbell University that is comprised of various ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds.

 

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), various forms of contraceptives can provide significant benefit to preventing pregnancy, which continues to be a major public health concern in the United States. Most importantly, women who desire to have control over their reproductive well-being and status particularly during crucial and stressful times of their lives as graduate students deserve to have open access and rights to contraceptives. It would be to Campbell University's great benefit to have its female students to become free from the burdens of trudging through insurance and healthcare barriers in order to obtain contraceptives and that they could focus on becoming successful representatives of the university.

 

For these aforementioned reasons, we request that the following changes be made to the current CSHC and Campbell University's policies:

 

Objective 1. Provide complete transparency regarding CSHC and Campbell's student insurance policies regarding contraception, including the circumstances for which it will or will not be prescribed, what can or cannot be provided by the Campbell pharmacy, and the circumstances for which it will or will not be covered under the student health insurance policy.

 

The current lack of transparency as to the circumstances under which contraceptives are covered under the student health insurance plan unfairly places the burden of information upon individual student. As noted above, contraceptives are prescribed at the CSHC only in specific circumstances that are not clearly delineated. Considering that over half of university-age females in the United States use a method of contraception for birth control, the lack of pertinent information affects a large portion of the student body.

 

Also, Campbell's student insurance policy via UnitedHealthcare provides confusing/conflicting information on this coverage in their separate informational booklets and through their customer service representatives. Individual students and clinics eventually have to call the health insurance company directly and separately, which often provides contradictory responses depending on the specific customer service representative reached.

 

Alternatively, students rely upon word-of-mouth information from their peers, which may lead to misinformation and confusion. Transparency of CSHC and Campbell's student insurance policies will provide students clear information on how they can access this basic healthcare need.

 

Objective 2. Allow OCPs to be prescribed for the primary purpose of pregnancy for all students, regardless of marital status.

  • If Objective 4 is not also achieved, then in accordance to Objective 1, the prescription should be accompanied with a clear explanation of the limitations of the student health insurance plan.

  • If the patient and provider jointly decide that the optimal form of contraception for the patient is unavailable at the CSHC, the patient should be directed to a non-CSHC provider who will be able to provide the appropriate care, though the contraceptive will still not be covered by student health insurance.

 

As mentioned above, the prevention of unwanted pregnancy is a significant benefit to the use of contraception.

 

Additionally, due to word-of-mouth information from their peers, students may believe that misrepresenting their menstrual symptoms is the most efficient way to gain access to contraceptives. This unfairly places a moral burden upon the student and pressures them towards dishonesty simply to fulfill basic healthcare needs.

 

Objective 3. Allow Campbell's on-campus (CSHC) pharmacy to carry and provide at least the OCPs and condoms to patients.

 

Currently, students are unable to obtain any form of contraception at the CSHC pharmacy. This places an undue burden on students to access necessary contraceptive services, especially if the student does not have reliable transportation to off-campus locations. We understand there is a significant barrier, both in cost and in available trained providers, to offer a full panel of contraceptive options such as forms of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC's). Fortunately, OCPs and condoms are the most widely used form of contraception. Improving their access at the CSHC would substantially improve access to contraceptives for the entire student body.

 

Objective 4. Confirm that Campbell's student health insurance does provide complete coverage for contraception for pregnancy prevention purposes. 

 

Currently, there are conflicting information via various outlets presented by UnitedHealthcare and Campbell University on the coverage of birth control for pregnancy prevention purposes. This needs to be re-addressed to both parties in order for students to receive a clear confirmation that female graduates students are covered for birth control for its contraceptive purposes and as preventive care. UnitedHealthcare must no longer deny claims for these services as it already has happened already with some students.

 

If, ultimately, this service is not covered for its contraceptive purposes, then it is highly advised for both parties to be made aware of the following information: the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) strongly supports widespread access to birth control, including complete coverage of contraceptives by insurance health care plans. Especially in a student population that relies largely on federal loans for income and sustenance, the extra out-of-pocket costs for contraceptives can be prohibitive. While OCPs may be the one of the most inexpensive and thus affordable option, they are not always the best option for each individual nor are they the most effective forms of contraception compared to methods like long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs). Ultimately, Campbell's student health insurance should provide all forms of contraceptives, especially LARCs which are the most effective forms of contraceptives. Comprehensive coverage of contraceptives by the student health insurance plan will allow for the decision of birth control to remain the personalized, collaborative decision it should be between an individual and their provider.

 

Closing Remarks:

 

Ultimately, the decision to use contraceptives, and which one to use, is a highly personal matter and can reflect not only the student's financial and family situation but also their values and beliefs. Campbell University's Strategic Plan notes a desire to "enhance support for an increasingly diverse student population" as well as "develop a health and wellness program stressing body, mind, and spirit with a focus on faith, food, fitness, and finances". The stated goals of the university and several of its graduate schools include a commitment to a diverse student body. Increasing student access to contraception through the CSHC and increased coverage for contraception in the student health insurance plan is a significant and necessary step in fulfilling these ideals.

 

As Campbell University seeks to grow as an institution, these changes would showcase deep respect for the diversity of its student body. For instance, other renown private-Baptist institutions like Wake Forest University and private-Catholic institutions like the University of Notre Dame provide full healthcare coverage for pregnancy prevention services by means of contraceptives for all of their students. This reflects the institution's commitment to students' well-being, respecting diversity, and ultimately honoring its student body that is comprised of individuals from all walks of life. We, the undersigned, also strongly believe that Campbell will absolutely represent the best interest of its students and their well-being, and it would warmly embrace its pluralistic, diverse student body so that its students would feel proud to represent Campbell for many generations to come.

 

We sincerely thank you for your time and eagerly await your response.



Warmest regards,



Campbell University graduate students, faculty, and alumni.





SOURCES

 

Update #24 jaar geleden
Dear all,

We will soon move towards meeting with school personnel. We are planning to print out this petition page and its signatures/comments. If, for whatever reason, you'd like for us to remove your full name and/or your comments from the petition list, this is your last chance to let us know ASAP. Otherwise, we will assume that you have formally agreed, without any reservation, to us presenting the petition signatures with your full names and comments to the Campbell leadership personnel.
Update #15 jaar geleden
Dear all,

Thank you so much for the love!

One of the signees has notified us of an insurance document that became new to us. This led us to revise our petition/proposal content. We still believe it remains relevant and are confident that we will continue to have your support. Because of the character limit on this update post from the website, we cannot add the details here, so ***PLEASE READ THE REVISED CONTENT!***

We are learning as we go, so we appreciate your patience. Thank you all!
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