And that belief – not supported by medical science – is why hundreds of college students are, at this moment, scrambling for health insurance before theirs expires. A federal appeals court has rejected Wheaton’s contention, so rather than comply with the requirement that it notify the feds, Wheaton is ending all health coverage for students. The school will continue providing health insurance for its faculty and staff.
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Addressing the decision in an online discussion with Wheaton students, Paul Chelsen, Wheaton’s vice president of student development, said the move was tragic but necessary to defend religious freedom.
It is regrettable. And, I would argue, it’s a violation of the trust those students and their parents placed in Wheaton College when they chose to invest their time and money there.
While other religious schools and organizations have gone along with the provision, Wheaton College officials found it unacceptable and at odds with its spiritual teachings. A temporary stay recently was granted by the U.S. Supreme Court. That’s because, while the provision allows the school to register religious objections to covering contraception, the opt-out would result in the students getting the coverage anyway.
“When you order somebody to provide something for the beneficiaries of my plan, you are using my plan”, Mark Rienzi, a Becket Fund attorney, told the Tribune. The current policy for religious non-profits gives them an exemption, at which point the government directs insurers to provide birth control coverage through a separate policy not paid for by the non-profit.
“What has brought us here is about student health insurance, but it’s bigger than student health insurance”, Chelsen said.
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“I understand this is a tumultuous, unexpected decision, but we’re hoping it’s not long term”, Chelsen said. “But we’re going to give it our best shot”.
