UHS's commitment and support following the Supreme Court's Roe decision
The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade is deeply distressing on many levels, as is the potential threat to existing protections for marriage equality, access to contraception, gender-affirming care, and LGBTQ+ rights. The decision represents a dangerous restriction on human rights and patient-provider decision making and this decision will further impact health inequities and reduce access to safe reproductive care for many Americans. We acknowledge that this decision and future changes in the legal and socio-political landscape will have disproportionately larger impacts on BIPOC and historically marginalized and oppressed communities.
Here, in California, at the University of California, and the UC Berkeley campus, we are standing up to protect access to these vital resources and services.
As a health care provider with strong beliefs, values, and action in providing access to high-quality care for all, University Health Services reaffirms its commitment to continuing to offer a full range of reproductive health care and counseling services, as well as medication abortion services, with the utmost care and compassion. The Student Health Insurance Plan continues to cover medication and surgical abortions; there are no out-of-pocket costs for in-network providers and the deductible is waived.
As this situation continues to evolve, many may be experiencing a wide range of feelings from shock to anger, disbelief, grief, loss, fear, and anxiety about the known and not yet known impacts of this decision and the potential risk to other constitutional rights. Our UHS Mental Health teams are here to help provide support. Please know there are steps for you to engage in self-care, get support, and cope with these reactions.