Franciscan University of Steubenville, a Catholic school in Ohio, is going to get rid of its entire student health insurance plan starting in the fall semester of 2012 because of a federal law requiring contraception coverage. The school said that the law conflicts with the "teachings of the Catholic Church".
Under the new rule, though, the school wouldn't have to pay for contraception for students, as there is an exemption for religious organizations (which includes Catholic schools).
Many Catholic institutions have objected to the law because they say it includes "abortifacents", but it doesn't: it only includes emergency contraception, which prevents pregnancy.
This new policy will leave the school's 3,000 students without health insurance -- a necessity, particularly for otherwise unemployed young adults. The school did not offer them any alternatives; instead, it told them to look for other ways to pay for health care.
Please tell the Franciscan University of Steubenville not to drop its entire health insurance plan!
Please do not drop you all's entire student health care plan because of a new contraception coverage law. This law exempts religious organizations and would not force the Franciscan University of Steubenville to pay for contraception for students.
Dropping this health plan because of something so trivial will leave the 3,000 students at the school without health insurance. This is wrong.
