Harvard Antiabortion Group Asks Students To Seek Refunds For Portion Of Insurance Premium That Covers Abortions

Main Category: Abortion
Also Included In: Health Insurance / Medical Insurance
Article Date: 20 May 2008 - 6:00 PDT

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The group Harvard Right to Life, or HRL, during the past two weeks has been sending cards to Harvard University students who have Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance plans that detail how to request a refund for the portion of their premiums that funds abortions, The Politico reports.

The Harvard BCBS plan covers abortion services subject to a $50 copayment. During the 2006-2007 school year, Harvard University Health Services distributed 128 refunds to BCBS beneficiaries who objected to their money being used to fund abortions, Melanie Green, spokesperson for UHS, said. HRL President Jeffrey Kwong said the organization this year has collected 400 written requests from undergraduates for refunds. According to The Politico, the card HRL sends to students does not specify that students are required to have BCBS insurance to be eligible for the refund, nor does it mention the amount that would be refunded -- which is $1 per term. Kwong said the form was approved by UHS. Green is asking for a review related to the refund policy.

According to The Politico, the campaign has generated a debate among students over whether they have the right to opt out of having part of their health insurance premiums pay for certain services. Sean Mascali, president of the university's Students for Choice group, said the ability to obtain refunds from insurance because of moral beliefs is "troubling" and should not be allowed. Mascali said, "It's dangerous and incredibly scary for special interests to dictate the health needs of the Harvard community, especially when those interests don't seem to appreciate the gravity of the health concerns that students face."

Eva Lam, legislative director for the group Harvard College Democrats, said "If I were to think that using contraceptives were immoral, then by an extension of HRL's logic I would have a right to request the portion that pays for birth control and condoms," Lam said, adding, "If I happen to think it's immoral for [Harvard University Council] to fund the activities of HRL I could request a refund of the portion of my fee that goes to HRL."

Mascali is concerned that the opt-out sets a precedent for receiving refunds for other health services that people could object to on moral grounds, including contraception and treatment for alcohol poisoning. Green said that UHS would consider refunding insurance costs for other services on a case-by-case basis. Kwong said the goal of the campaign is not to reduce the number of abortions but rather to ensure that the rights of those who oppose abortion are respected. He added that the campaign is not concerned with abortions performed to save the life of a pregnant woman. Mascali said HRL's target of abortions only adds to the stigma associated with the procedure (Stark, The Politico, 5/15).

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