BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - Bowling Green State University students opposed to a health insurance plan covering abortions were pleased that the school has decided to offer coverage for abortions only to students who pay an extra $60 a year.
Students received notice on Monday that student health insurance will allow for the optional coverage for abortion. The basic plan will cost $1,234 a year.
The student health insurance will cover birth control.
"We believe the university's student health insurance program will give individuals the ability to make health choices based on their personal needs," Ed Whipple, vice president of student affairs, said in the notice.
The school's trustees voted to require students who do not have health insurance to purchase insurance through the school or another insurer starting this fall.
The optional plan the university has offered in previous years has covered abortions, said Teri Sharp, a Bowling Green spokeswoman.
More schools have started mandating the coverage to save the uninsured from huge bills and college hospitals from getting stuck with the cost. College administrators are finding that some students are forced to drop out when faced with big medical expenses.
Most public universities, though, still leave the decision about insurance up to students.
University of Toledo students have been required to have health insurance for several years. That plan includes abortion coverage.
A group at Bowling Green collected more than 400 signatures on petitions saying that students should not be required to pay for abortions.
"I think we still have a ways to go, but this is a positive step in the right direction," said Kelly Schulz, a graduate student who is involved with a Catholic student organization called Creed.
She said her organization would continue to work to persuade people that abortion is not a good choice and that there are alternatives to oral contraceptives.
Sharon Cook, chairwoman of the university's board of trustees, said there were strong feelings from students on both sides of the issue. She said allowing abortion coverage for an extra fee was a good compromise.
Patrick Watkins, a senior at Bowling Green, said he supported the plan announced Monday.
"Making an extra fee is a better compromise," he said. "Legally, people in this country have a choice, but you can't force everyone to help pay for it."