We need to talk about reproductive health on our college campuses. With the current political climate, reproductive rights are being restricted across many states, with many afraid of the consequences. Reproductive health goes beyond birth control; a lack of knowledge can lead to dire consequences down the line.
Read further to learn more about reproductive healthcare and the options available to you.
We need to talk about reproductive health on our college campuses. With the current political climate, reproductive rights are being restricted across many states, with many afraid of the consequences. Reproductive health goes beyond birth control; a lack of knowledge can lead to dire consequences down the line.
Read further to learn more about reproductive healthcare and the options available to you.
Roe v. Wade
Roe v. Wade, a Supreme Court ruling set in the late 1960s, ruled that the Constitution protected abortion under the right to privacy. Since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, abortion access is now banned across several states including Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Texas, most of which provide no exception for incest or rape. However, abortion continues to be available in California, with the exception of it being banned at 24-26 weeks of pregnancy.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
It is important to know that you have personal rights that supersede that of the state. HIPAA is a legal guarantee that must be followed by any medical professional. It constitutes doctor-patient confidentiality. This means that you have the right to talk to your doctor about any questions regarding reproductive health, and they have an obligation to let you know all possible options.
Doctors must set aside their political and religious beliefs to give you the most beneficial information for your situation. If you feel that your doctor is violating HIPAA, you can file a report with the U.S. Health and Human Services Office for Human Rights via their Complaint Portal.
Statewide Solutions
Abortion access remains legal in California, with a variety of services provided to ensure that adults and minors have access to what they need.
According to the State of California Department of Justice, the right to abortion is available without any need for reason, confidentiality will be provided, and parental consent is not required. Services are available with little to no charge.
Additional information is available here.
Local Solutions
Planned Parenthood has a local branch in San Jose, California, that offers a variety of services like abortion, pregnancy planning, emergency contraception, vaccines, and preventative care.
You can make an appointment with Planned Parenthood by calling 408-287-7526 or booking online. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Planned Parenthood also has multiple locations across the Bay Area.
The Wellness Center at San Jose State University (SJSU) offers pap smears, STI treatments & testing, birth control, sexual assault recovery, physicals, and free sex supplies. It is free for all SJSU students.
The center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Appointments can be scheduled online or via phone (408) 924-5678.
The GHS Women’s Center is a local government-funded wellness center that provides women’s reproductive services free of charge.
They offer pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, STD testing, counseling (post-abortion, rape, and maternity), and abortion pill reversals.
The center is located at 100 O’Connor Drive, Suite #1 in San Jose, California. You can reach them at (408) 447-5433.
Knowing and understanding the options available to college students is the first step towards maintaining your health in the long term.
As California continues to add fierce protections towards reproductive freedom, know that all are safe to take options that are right for them and their unique situations.
For more articles on reproductive rights, continue to keep up with HerCampus weekly. For questions or comments on this particular article, contact us on our Instagram @HerCampusSJSU.