SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois House Democrats hope to require public universities and community colleges with student health services to provide contraception and medication abortion.
Campus health care professionals would be tasked with discussing contraception and abortion options with students before sending prescriptions to campus pharmacies.
The legislation also states that these services could be provided through in-person appointments, telehealth, or other licensed providers.
Rep. Anna Moeller (D-Elgin) said this is a top priority for the Pritzker administration this spring. Moeller presented the bill to the House Higher Education Committee Wednesday night with help from University of Illinois Senior Emma Darbro. The brain and cardio science student said she plans to go to medical school soon in hopes of providing equitable and inclusive reproductive healthcare.
Darbro provided a student election referendum last spring regarding access to medication abortion pills on the UIUC campus. She explained the referendum received 4,743 votes in affirmation of the referendum, with 80% active approval rate from students.
"This access to reproductive care on campus alleviates specific burdens that can disproportionately affect college students like cost, transportation, and insurance coverage," Darbro said.
Students would be able to pay out of pocket or use their health insurance to receive the reproductive healthcare.
House Bill 3709 passed out of the House Higher Education Committee on a partisan 7-4 vote. It now moves to the House floor for further consideration.
If passed out of both chambers and signed into law, campus health centers would be required to provide the reproductive healthcare services at the start of the 2025-2026 school year.
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