An Update Regarding University Health Care Plans

Dear Members of the Georgetown Community:

I am writing to update you on changes to the University health plans as they relate to contraceptive coverage.

In late June, the Obama Administration issued final regulations providing guidance on the Affordable Care Act’s requirement that employers provide contraceptive coverage. The regulations will require insurance companies themselves to pay directly for contraceptive services for the employees and students of non-profit organizations, like Georgetown, that oppose providing coverage for contraceptive services on religious grounds.

The final regulations were the culmination of a long regulatory process, in which many voices were raised in support of religious freedom and the need for a regulatory solution that would respect the religious identity of institutions that serve diverse populations. Georgetown participated in this process, joining with our Catholic and Jesuit colleagues in higher education in publicly expressing our hope that a compromise would be found allowing us to comply with the law and honor our Catholic and Jesuit identity.

These regulations give us the opportunity to reconcile our religious identity and our commitment to providing access to affordable health care. Under the framework established by the Administration, the University’s insurance companies will cover the costs of contraceptive services for Georgetown faculty, staff and students who opt to use them, regardless of which health care plan each person has. We will continue to provide our community with access to affordable health care options, and women will have access to contraceptives at no cost to them or to the University. I invite you to learn more about the final regulations and how they apply to members of our Georgetown community by visiting this link.

Our University community is at its best when the perspectives on all sides of important issues are articulated and heard. The dialogue on this topic has been no exception. I am grateful to everyone involved in this dialogue.

Sincerely,

John J. DeGioia