South Bend, Ind., Nov 7, 2017 / 16:28 pm
A little more than a week after announcing it would end birth control coverage for employees and students, the University of Notre Dame said Tuesday that its insurance provider will continue contraceptive coverage, albeit not funded by the university.
"Notre Dame, as a Catholic institution, follows Catholic teaching about the use of contraceptives and engaged in the recent lawsuit to protect its freedom to act in accord with its principles," read a Nov. 7 email sent to university employees.
"Recognizing, however, the plurality of religious and other convictions among its employees, it will not interfere with the provision of contraceptives that will be administered and funded independently of the University."
The email explained that the university's insurance provider, Meritain Health/OptumRx, has said "that they will now continue to provide contraceptives to plan members at no charge." The university had believed the provider "would discontinue no cost coverage for contraceptives for employees at the end of the year."