University Health Services begins offering medical abortion pills
University Health Services at the University of Massachusetts added medical abortion pills to its list of services. Effective July 29, 2022, a law sponsored by state Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa of Northampton requires state university health services to begin administering medical abortion pills with state-funded assistance. This expansion of comprehensive healthcare is driven by Bill H.5090 and its counterpart, Bill H.3841, making abortion pills accessible from state university health services.
Clinical Details and Patient Support
Medication abortion is a form of abortion, administered in two dosages with the best results within the first 11 weeks of pregnancy. Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts Communications Manager Rezwana Huq noted, “Medication abortion is safe and effective, both in a clinic setting and at home.”
At UMass, UHS plans to safely dispense the medical abortion pills to students through a physician who will, “see the patient and prescribe the medication” and “provide associated counseling and follow up,” according to Medical Director George A. Corey. To support students, UHS offers the following:
- Over-the-counter and prescription pain medication if deemed necessary.
- Confidential methods of payment for students who wish to be discrete in their care treatments.
- Safety measures involving UMPD in the case of negative crowd reactions to assure the safety of all UHS patients.
Institutional Comparison of Services
The implementation of these services varies significantly across different state universities and regions:
| University / System | Abortion Pill Availability |
|---|---|
| University of Massachusetts (UMass) | Available (Effective July 29, 2022) |
| UC and CSU schools | Now offer or plan to offer |
| Barnard College | Now offers or plans to offer |
| University of Texas (UT) | Does not dispense abortive medications |
Campus Perspectives and National Context
“Having access to medication abortion at UHS will certainly decrease the anxiety and stress that comes with identifying an abortion provider, organizing travel to and from, and knowing where they can go with questions,” said Achsah Dorsey, assistant anthropology professor. Many students, including junior Elijah Ramos, expressed that it is “wonderful it’s being offered on campus,” appreciating the easier access for safe abortions. Grazielly De Oliveria Guerra, a public health major, added, “Having the pill accessible in the community removes the stigma of abortion and normalizes it.”
While Massachusetts joins states like California and New York with protective reproductive health laws, other regions face different realities. For example, a University of Texas spokesman stated, “UHS does not dispense abortive medications, provide abortion services or obstetrical/prenatal services,” despite student walkouts for reproductive rights following the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Current Legal Landscape
With 19 states in America banning abortions in some way, the transition at UMass represents a significant shift. Medical Director George A. Corey confirmed that, “UHS does have a readiness plan, and is already operating in full compliance,” following the bill’s specification that schools offer medicated abortion pill services by November 2023. More information can be found on UHS’s website, under Women’s Health.