Members of the campus community have expressed concern about recent changes on the federal level that could impact students’ access to contraception – such as allowing religious employers to offer health plans that do not cover contraceptive methods and counseling. Student members of Planned Parenthood Generation Action have emailed and met with officials at the college to express their concerns. The Hammond Health Center released the following statement of their ongoing support for student access to contraceptive methods and counseling.
"As a provider of primary health care services to Ithaca College students, Hammond Health Center believes strongly that all Ithaca College students should have access to the full range of contraceptive options. Hammond Health Center clinicians have expertise regarding contraceptive methods and management. The Hammond Health Center has no intention of changing our longstanding practices of providing access to birth control counseling for any Ithaca College student and prescribing the appropriate method to be filled by a pharmacy.
Under the current health insurance plan offered to Ithaca College students and administered by Consolidated Health Plans, birth control pills and other contraceptive options are covered in full with no out-of-pocket costs. Students who choose to waive out of the student health insurance because they are insured under another plan are encouraged to verify with their insurer that their plan also covers contraception."
Please direct any questions regarding this matter to Dr. C. Vivian Lorenzo, vlorenzo@ithaca.edu.
Rosanna Ferro, EdD
Vice President
Student Affairs & Campus Life
C. Vivian Lorenzo, MD
Medical Services Director
Hammond Health Center
https://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/20180301143907138