As students of this institution, we are calling on Boston University to provide medication abortion on campus through our Student Health Services. 

While private universities in Massachusetts are not required to adhere to Chapter 127 of the Acts of 2022, we believe having access to medication abortion on campus reduces barriers to accessing basic healthcare.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Department of Public Health provide a comprehensive toolkit for universities and public colleges to implement abortion readiness plans.

According to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, “Medication abortion, or medical abortion, is a safe, effective, common, and non-surgical method of ending a pregnancy prior to 70 days gestation. Between 600 and 1,380 public college students in Massachusetts need abortion care annually, however, at least eight major institutions of higher education in Massachusetts are located 15 miles or more away from an abortion clinic.”

We are demanding access to mifepristone and misoprostol, two pills taken in conjunction with each other to end a pregnancy up until 12 weeks. 

Abortion medication is two safe and effective pills used to end pregnancy in the early stages, up to 77 days (11 weeks). It has been used safely in the United States for the past 20 years and is less of an invasive method of abortion that can be taken at home on your own time. 

First, mifepristone is taken. This works to stop the pregnancy from growing as it blocks progesterone. Then misoprostol is taken either immediately after the mifepristone, up to 48 hours later. This pill causes cramping and bleeding to push out all the tissue. The final step is to return to a clinic to ensure the completion of the abortion.

Medication abortion is a safe practice. It does not cause breast cancer or affect fertility. Future pregnancies are not impacted in terms of birth defects, premature birth or low birth weight, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, or infant death. Mifepristone and Misoprostol are both safer than Penicillin, Tylenol, and Viagra. Serious complications are very rare and are usually cured with other medications/ treatments. 

Access through campus health services removes barriers many students face such as travel time, costs, wait times, and insurance acceptance. After the overturn of Roe v. Wade, 18 states have instituted abortion bans. In our locality, Tufts, Harvard, and Northeastern do not offer abortion medication and MIT offers neither abortion medication nor Plan B. 

We call on you and every other BU student, alum, faculty, and staff to ensure our access to adequate, safe, and affordable reproductive care. Please sign this petition to show your support for access to abortion medication on campus.