Word: opts
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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This week, Harvard Right to Life (HRL) tabled various dining halls to publicize a University policy that allows students to opt out of paying the portion of their health services fee that funds elective abortions. The University Health Services (UHS) fee policy, as specified in the 2002-2003 Guide to UHS. allows students who send a note explaining their “strong moral objections to sharing the cost of elective abortions” to receive a $1.09 refund. HRL is calling attention to the policy as a means for students to take a principled stand against abortion...
While some pro-choice student group members fear that the opt-out will harmfully threaten the existence of abortion services, the meager $1.09 from each of 101 students—the most that have ever opted out of this charge—is unlikely to impact the affordability of this service. The problem with the opt-out stipulation is that it is patently unfair and inherently favors a pro-life stance over other moral concerns...
There are no rebates available for other students on campus who morally oppose services offered by UHS and programs offered by the University. Students who do not subscribe to modern medicine for religious reasons cannot opt out of their health services fee. Similarly, vegetarian and vegan students who believe that slaughtering animals is morally reprehensible cannot receive rebates for their share of the meat purchased for the dining halls...
Pacifists cannot opt out of the portion of their taxes that is allotted for the military in an effort to morally oppose war. Neither should pro-life students be able to opt out of a portion of the Health Services fee as a means of championing their stance. UHS should reform its policy to preserve fairness and HRL should seek other measures to express their moral opposition to abortion...
...trying to pressure people into opting out of the [fee] or not opt out,” said Laura E. Openshaw ’05, an HRL member who tabled in Adams yesterday. “It’s a good thing for students to realize that the option is out there, even if they don’t think it’s the right option for them...