Reproductive Health Care On College Campuses Convening Held At Legislative Office Building On Wednesday
Event aimed to foster collaboration and learning around the implementation of reproductive health services on college campuses as required by Public Act 23-41
The Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity & Opportunity (CWCSEO) hosted a reproductive health care accessibility for students on college campuses convening on Wednesday at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. The convening – sponsored by the University of Connecticut's Institute for Collaboration on Health, Intervention, and Policy (InCHIP) – aimed to foster collaboration and learning around the implementation of reproductive health services on campuses as required by Public Act 23-41.
Signed into law in 2023, PA 23-41 mandates public higher education institutions with on-campus residences to develop plans that address students’ need for reproductive health care, including prenatal care, contraception, abortion, and gender-affirming care.
Students, medical providers, staff, administrators, elected officials, policy experts, and campus and community advocates took part in general and clinical sessions such as students' experiences in accessing campus health services, and reflections on what is currently working, what can be improved and action steps to make a difference in students' reproductive health care.
"Public colleges and universities in Connecticut need to take a leading role in students’ accessibility to reproductive health care, so I am thrilled that we brought together this convening to discuss the development and implementation of those plans," said State Representative Kate Farrar (D-West Hartford, Newington). "I worked to pass Public Act 23-41 in concert with concerned and engaged students because I am committed to advocating for their needs and rights to the full spectrum of reproductive health care, including prenatal care, contraception, abortion, and gender-affirming care. I am also appreciative of the stories and perspectives students shared today, which give us the best idea of where we’re at and what more we need to do in our state.”
“Since before the overturning of Roe v. Wade, reproductive health has been a contentious topic. It is amazing to see the strides that Connecticut has taken over the past few years to ensure reproductive health care as a right for all, but barriers to access remain,” said Aanya Mehta, a graduate student at UConn working toward a Master of Public Administration degree. “As a student, I understand the unique challenges that campuses face in providing this care; today's event was an important step in implementing an inclusive and accessible plan. My fellow students had such great insights into the barriers that can be addressed and opportunities to increase reproductive health care access for college students. It was an honor to be a part of the event.”
“Connecticut is home to nearly 100,000 college students, and for many of those students, their university health center is the only place they can access medical care. It is critical that we ensure those students have access to the full spectrum of reproductive and sexual health care,” said Liz Gustafson, Connecticut State Director for Reproductive Equity Now. “After championing passage of Public Act 23-41 in 2023, Reproductive Equity Now was thrilled and honored to be part of today’s convening, because an investment in student access to reproductive health care is an investment in the future of our state. Today marks a meaningful step toward increasing access to the full spectrum of sexual and reproductive health care across public colleges and universities, so that every student in the Nutmeg State has the care, resources, and support they need to pursue their educational goals.”
“College campuses play a critical role in ensuring students have the resources and supports to make their own health care decisions about their bodies, lives, and futures. Today’s convening was an incredible opportunity to hear directly from young people about their experiences navigating the health care system, as well as from health care providers, advocates, and administrators who are working to reduce barriers and make reproductive health care more accessible,” said Gretchen Raffa, Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England. “Planned Parenthood of Southern New England is proud to provide sexual and reproductive health care services at 14 health centers across Connecticut and applauds the efforts of all those involved in making health care more accessible to college students on their residential campuses.”
###
