Education

Reproductive Rights Group To Distribute Free ‘Plan B’ Pills To College Students

Frank Bojazi Freelancer
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A reproductive rights group called “H*yas for Choice” is offering free emergency contraception to students at Georgetown University, marking the first time this type of pregnancy prevention has been widely available at the university.

A report by The Hoya explained that the university does not provide any form of contraceptives on campus. However, the Student Health Services will provide hormonal treatment, but students must meet certain requirements. As stated on the Georgetown Student Health website, they “can prescribe hormonal contraceptives if medically indicated but not directly for contraception. Some examples of medical indications are: acne, irregular periods, heavy periods, cramps, and polycystic ovary syndrome.

H*yas For Choice announced their decision to distribute free emergency contraception on their Facebook page in an announcement and a video. They also asked for a $10 donation because the group is self-funding this project.

HFC Brings Emergency Contraception to Georgetown

"Starting today, we will now provide emergency contraception, commonly known as Plan B, to Georgetown students."H*yas for Choice has worked for years to improve access to and quality of services available to our community. We could not be more excited to make this progress today. Please help us spread the word of our new emergency contraception service! Contact planb@hyasforchoice.com with any questions, concerns, or to get some EC yourself!

Posted by H*yas for Choice on Monday, September 17, 2018

“Starting today, we will now provide emergency contraception, commonly known as Plan B, to Georgetown students.”

H*yas for Choice has worked for years to improve access to and quality of services available to our community. We could not be more excited to make this progress today. Please help us spread the word of our new emergency contraception service! Contact planb@hyasforchoice.com with any questions, concerns, or to get some EC yourself!”

Elianna Schiffrik, Georgetown student and H*yas For Choice communication director, addressed how the group will help students unable to travel the extra mile to purchase contraceptives at CVS. In the same report by The Hoya, she was quoted: “we recognized there was a need. [Plan B] was very inaccessible on campus because well first, CVS, from certain dorms, is almost a mile to get there and Georgetown students being notoriously busy don’t always have the time to get off campus.

She also mentioned that Plan B is often priced between $30 and $60, which may not be affordable for all college students. The group’s goal is to provide Plan B quickly and for free.

Schiffrik discussed an attempt to keep the distribution to students confidential by using an email address which is monitored daily by several board members.

Georgetown University does not recognize the group nor does it support them financially.

Schiffrik stated that they have received very little backlash, but were prepared for more if it happened.