Christian College Hangs Students Out to Dry Over ACA Contraception Policy

A view of Wheaton College campus

Chicago's Wheaton College has decided to cancel all health insurance policies for its graduate and undergraduate students over the Affordable Care Act's contraception policy.

As MSNBC reported: "The evangelical college could claim a religious exemption to the contraception policy, at which point a private insurer would create a separate policy to cover contraception, directly for the consumer.  Wheaton wouldn't have to subsidize this separate plan at all.  The college said this accommodation isn't good enough."

The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has denied the college's request for an injunction against the ACA contraception policy.  The court ruled that the simple, two-page form required to claim a religious exemption "is hardly a burdensome requirement."

Wheaton's Paul Chelsen, vice president of student development, said the decision is "bigger than student health insurance" even though it "breaks my heart" to know that "students have been hurt by this...and I regret that."

what eye thynk:  Mr. Chelsen utters some nice words; but I see no evidence of any genuine caring in this decision. It is just another case of a Christian organization being controlled by over-zealousness at the peril of those it purports to serve.

Students are left scrambling to find alternative healthcare coverage simply because the college's powers-that-be refuse to fill out one simple government form.

Aside from putting students in danger of a bankruptcy causing injury or illness if they are unable to find health insurance before the school year begins in just a few weeks, the choice to deny students access to (free under the ACA) contraception is a recipe for disaster.

Looking at national statistics, our Southern states--the national hot spot for conservative, evangelical Christianity-- report a much larger percentage of pregnancy among unmarried young women than do liberal states where young people may not be controlled by conservative faith-bound belief that birth control is evil.

So how will the college accommodate an unplanned student pregnancy?  And don't tell me it's not going to happen. These are young people, many still in their teens, away from home probably for the first time and walking around with raging hormones.  (Yes, Wheaton, even your students have them.)  

One student spoke to the Chicago Tribune: "I fear the administration is putting petty politics above caring for students."

Sounds like at least young person could give some "Acting Like an Adult" lessons to the childish people currently making unwise decisions at Wheaton College.