Resources and support for reproductive health

Dear Brown Students,

Today's U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning the federal protections for abortions established by the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision has raised immediate questions for individuals and families across the country about access to reproductive health care. We write to our community today to share that Brown — as a sponsor of health plans and resources based in Rhode Island for students enrolled in the University — continues to support a full range of reproductive health services for all members of our community.

With the recent high court decision, individual states now will determine whether — and under what conditions and circumstances — an abortion is legal for pregnant people in their jurisdictions. The State of Rhode Island passed a law in 2019 that grants someone who is pregnant the right to choose an abortion up to the point of fetal viability or to "preserve the health or life" of the pregnant individual.

This letter provides a reminder of physical and emotional health and wellbeing resources, as well as benefits and services, available to students studying or residing in Rhode Island. These long-established resources and benefits are available for a range of medical services and interventions, including reproductive health. We are committed to ensuring that all members of our community have access to resources and support to make the decisions that are right for them.

For Enrolled Students

Health Insurance: The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) covers the full range of reproductive services for enrolled students — from short, long-acting and emergency contraceptives, to prenatal and maternity care, and pregnancy termination services. Coverage persists for the full 12 months of the academic year beginning August 15, with no break in coverage for returning students. All students have automatic coverage unless they waive it by demonstrating that they have comparable or better insurance coverage based in and administered within the U.S.

University Health Services (UHS): Clinicians at UHS routinely advise enrolled students regarding how to find a health care provider, whether or not the student is living or studying on College Hill. UHS advises students how to find resources or clinicians who can help them make private decisions. UHS staff members have expertise in gender affirming and reproductive health.

Telehealth: HealthiestYou is a robust teleclinical service operating nationally as a referral service for a full range of medical services. The service refers members to clinicians and health care providers for consultation and care. Mental health specialists can provide therapy and support for people experiencing emotional distress.

Counseling and Support: Students can receive mental and emotional health support, therapy and counseling from a range of offices, including Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and BWell Health Promotion within Health and Wellness, as well as the deans in Student Support Services and confidential support from the chaplains in the Office of the Chaplains and Religious Life.

Housing and Travel Support: Students who are studying remotely and who need to travel for emergent health or medical circumstances should reach out to Student Support Services (SSS), which can serve as a first point of contact. Deans in Student Support Services routinely support and facilitate exploration of options for emergency travel, housing, and funding (for eligible students). SSS deans make referrals to staff in the Graduate School, School of Professional Studies, and the Warren Alpert Medical School, as appropriate.

Family Benefits

Brown offers a range of benefits for students who carry pregnancies to term and/or choose to pursue a family.

Support for New Parents: Brown's Parental Relief Policy provides eligible graduate students with short-term stipend support for the care of a newly born infant or adopted child under 16 years of age. For undergraduate parents, the College and Student Support Services provide academic advising, personal support, and connection to resources for parental relief.

Housing: The University works with students living on campus to ensure appropriate housing for students who are carrying pregnancies to term.

Child Care Subsidy: The University offers various forms of subsidies and/or support to help pay child care expenses for degree-seeking undergraduate, graduate and medical students with young dependents who meet the criteria for enrollment, as well as income and financial requirements. Programs are administered separately for undergraduate, graduate and medical students (see the resource links below).

Insurance Coverage for Dependents: After qualifying events such as childbirth, the Student Health Insurance Plan can be extended to cover dependent children of any student — undergraduate, graduate or medical — enrolled in SHIP, or who previously waived SHIP. Graduate PhD and MFA students supported by a stipend are eligible to receive a 75% subsidy to enroll dependents in SHIP, and also are eligible for a 75% subsidy to enroll dependents in dental insurance coverage.

Adoption Services: For students who carry pregnancies to term and seek to explore or pursue adoption, BWell Health Promotion offers resources to help students understand their adoption options, including providing information for an external organization that offers free, confidential, birth-parent counseling and resource referrals.

Please see the links to the websites at the bottom of this email for additional information about these existing resources and services.

A Note on Medical Education

While health support and reproductive services at Brown are separate from medical education, we are aware that students on campuses across the country have begun to raise concerns about the commitment of their institutions to continue training the next generation of clinicians, doctors and other health care providers to meet the medical needs of patients who are or become pregnant.

On behalf of our colleagues at the medical school, we are pleased to share that the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University remains committed to training its providers to provide the full complement of reproductive health care. All obstetrics and gynecology residents learn how to counsel patients regarding pregnancy, abortions and options for care and how to care for all related reproductive complications, though residents can opt out of performing certain procedures if they choose. This has been and will continue to be part of the residency curriculum at Brown.

We know that the landscape around reproductive health across the country will continue to shift, with many states expected to pass new laws. We want to assure our community that we will continue to closely monitor any changes that may affect the health services Brown provides. We are committed to providing students with as much support as possible to make decisions about their health.

Sincerely,

Eric Estes
Vice President for Campus Life

Dr. Vanessa Britto
Associate Vice President for Health and Wellness

LINKS TO RESOURCES AND SERVICES: