In the wake of Friday’s Supreme Court decision to eliminate U.S. constitutional protections for abortions, health and legal experts at Metropolitan State University of Denver are reminding members of the campus community that abortion remains legal in Colorado.
University leaders also want to acknowledge the anxiety this issue may cause across campus and remind students, faculty and staff of available resources.
Gov. Jared Polis signed the Reproductive Health Equity Act in April, ensuring that women in Colorado and those who travel here have access to legal medical abortions. However, for women residing in the 13 states with bans triggered by the Supreme Court’s ruling, abortions will likely soon be illegal if they aren’t already. “It’s predicted that out-of-state residents (seeking) abortion care will continue to increase, perhaps dramatically, in states like Colorado where the rights to all reproductive-care options are protected,” said Erin Seedorf, Dr.P.H., assistant professor in the Department of Health Professions at MSU Denver.
That could lead to longer wait times and delays for care, medical providers have said.
While most MSU Denver students, faculty members and staff members reside in Colorado, many have expressed concern for friends and family members living in states with abortion bans. Some states are considering laws meant to discourage women from crossing state lines to have abortions or helping someone to do so, said David Fine, general counsel and secretary to the MSU Denver Board of Trustees.
Meanwhile, the Health Center at Auraria is reminding faculty members, staff members and students that while the campus clinic does not offer abortion services, it provides many other women’s health services, including annual exams, lab testing, contraception (including IUD and Nexplanon), follow-up on abnormal Pap smears, colposcopy, Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure and nondiagnostic ultrasound.
The Health Center also sees women seeking emergency contraception as quickly as possible, even if there are no available appointments, said Lisa Lasswell, the center’s assistant director and CFO.
“At the Health Center at Auraria, patients are not charged for office visits for emergency contraception, and those who are not able to use insurance at the Health Center are charged only the cost of the medication ($38) and are able to make payment arrangements if needed,” she said.
Pregnant women can be seen by a Health Center provider for confirmation and evaluation and are referred for additional care to potential locations, depending on their insurance coverage and physical proximity.
“Our office also has an agreement with Denver Health Medical Center for victims of sexual assault that allows these patients to be evaluated at the Health Center and not have to be seen through the ER to proceed with SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) services,” Lasswell said.
Additional resources are available on campus for those facing mental-health challenges, such as fear, anxiety or depression, as a result of the Supreme Court ruling.
MSU Denver students pay a Health and Wellness Fee as part of their tuition, which allows for free Mental Health Services at the Health Center at Auraria and at the MSU Denver Counseling Center.
“Health care providers and public-health organizations are committed to seeking support and resources to ensure that all women can attain the care that they need,” Seedorf said.