Princeton U. provides birth control subsidy

PRINCETON— Princeton University has begun to subsidize the cost of oral contraceptives for students to offset the withdrawal of federal subsidies for contraception at campus health centers.
According to a report in the campus daily newspaper, the Princetonian, the subsidy reduces the price of oral contraceptives on campus from $15 per pack to $6. Janet Finnie, the university’s health services director, told the newspaper: "There were a number of students who voiced concern about losing access to birth control, including representatives of student government. The current subsidy is a direct response to concerns about affordability as we closely monitor national efforts to reverse the federal changes."
Finnie said university officials began discussing the impact of the loss of federal subsidies during the spring. Janet Dickerson, a university vice president, told the Princetonian that the resulting rise in contraceptive prices on campus was viewed as "a public health issue" warranting action by the school.