The University Health Center has taken a new approach to meeting the birth control needs of University students by participating in a federal program.
Free condoms will no longer be provided in baskets. Instead, the health center is taking part in a program known as the Family Planning Expansion Project.
FPEP is a federally funded program under Medicaid that provides free birth control and reproductive services to men and women in Oregon who qualify.
Under FPEP, students at the University will be required to have a “contraception consultation” with a medical professional at the health center before receiving free condoms and other birth control, said Pharmacy Manager Julie Dewshup. After that, students may go to the pharmacy for supplies.
Health center Director Dr. Gerald Fleischli said the center stopped purchasing condoms last fall, and it took until spring term for supplies to run out.
“The school used to have to purchase them,” he said, adding that the health center will be reimbursed for costs incurred under the program.
The University originally contracted with Planned Parenthood, but is now contracted with the Lane County Public Health Department. Both organizations received the FPEP grant from the government and are also involved in the program.
There are guidelines for receiving services under the FPEP program. According to the health center’s Web site, applicants must be U.S. citizens and Oregon residents younger than 56 and make less than 85 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines to qualify for these services.
A single person must make less than $1,288 a month to qualify, and a family of four less than $2,629.
“We are trying to send a message to students to be responsible and use protection to prevent STDs and pregnancies,” Fleischli said. “I think the availability of FPEP is a very positive thing for the students. We’re pleased to be a part of the program.”
For those students and others who do not qualify for free birth control services under FPEP, there are other resources in the Eugene community.
The Health Education Department, located in the health center’s basement, will still have some condoms to distribute, said Health Education Director Paula Staight.
Education and training specialist Joanne Alba of Planned Parenthood said free condoms are available at their Eugene and Springfield clinics without a medical consultation as well.
Although Alba said free condoms are key for students’ sexual health, she added that she wishes students did not have to go through the consultation procedure.
“It’s not a good public-health practice,” said Alba, who is a former director of health education services at the University. “If you make people jump through a lot of hoops, they won’t take advantage of the program.”
Staff at the health center said they believe the new program is an important way for students to start taking control of their own health-care issues.
“The program can be to the students’ advantage in multiple ways,” Staight said. “They still get their needs met and have the opportunity to ask questions as well as receive instruction on how to use birth control properly.”
FPEP went into effect under former President Bill Clinton and will last for another two years. After that, President George W. Bush’s administration will be responsible for reinstating the program’s funding. Students will also need to reapply each year for FPEP services, Staight said.
The health center will continue to use FPEP to offset the costs of birth control for students but may offer condoms in baskets once again, Fleischli said.