I am dismayed that Penn State is currently using University funds to pay for abortion on demand through its group health insurance policies. The two Penn State group health insurance policies (Basic and High plans), provide $150 per elective abortion. All graduate and international students are required by the University to carry health insurance either from the University or elsewhere. Failure to show proof of insurance may result in fines and/or dismissal from the University. However, it is morally unacceptable for many students to enroll in the University's policies if abortion on demand is a covered service.

Penn State's group health insurance policies are by far the most affordable, and it is financially impossible for many students to purchase an individual insurance policy outside of the University. When I called several insurance companies in State College area, two agents from different companies told me that they could not even offer me a policy since I was eligible for the University's policies. In the words of the Prudential agent, "I can't help you."

In short, Penn State requires me to exercise my freedom to choose affordable health care (even though I am in perfect health), but at the same time, the University restricts my freedom to choose by not offering a policy that excludes abortion.

There is no need to include abortion on demand in any health insurance policy. Consider the following. Last year's health care reform debate provided remarkable insight into how Americans feel about the connection between elective abortion and their basic health insurance. According to one poll in late 1993, 62 percent responded that the basic health insurance benefits guaranteed to all Americans should not include coverage for abortion. (Harris poll, October, 1993.) The CBS/New York Times poll of March 1993 showed that 72 percent of Americans opposed the inclusion of abortion in a national health care plan. A more recent nationwide poll of only one year ago reported that 69 percent of those questioned thought that abortion should not be covered in the national health care plan. (University of Cincinnati, January 1994)

Abortion is rarely used to terminate pregnancies resulting from rape or incest. In fact, data from the Alan Guttmacher Institute, the research arm of America's largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood, shows that of the 1,600,000 abortions performed in the United States in 1992, seven percent were to save the life of the mother and less than one percent involved cases of rape or incest. (These statistics are not disputed by either side of the abortion debate.) It is essential to note that state Medicaid funding is available for abortions to save the mother's life or cases of rape or incest. The remaining 92 percent of all abortions are for reasons of economics, social or personal reasons. In other words, 92 percent of all abortions are birth control abortions.

Penn State's health insurance policies do not cover birth control devices or drugs, family planning and tubal ligations or vasectomies. At the very least, consistency demands that a health insurance policy either include all forms of birth control of none at all.

Cosmetic or dermatological surgeries are not covered in practically any health insurance policies underwritten by any insurance company since such surgeries are clearly for one's psychological well-being or outwardly psychological well-being or outwardly physical appearance (read social and personal reasons). It is easily seen how these procedures would increase insurance costs as well. Since abortion is being used to maintain one's current lifestyle, elective abortion should be treated the same way as any cosmetic surgery when it is time to formulate a health insurance policy.

Even those who support a woman's "right" to terminate her pregnancy may reject having to pay for someone else's abortion though their health insurance premiums and/or state taxes.

In the next few weeks, a survey will be sent by the Graduate Student Association to all students who carry Penn State's health insurance policies to determine what they think about their policies. The question about abortion coverage should not be considered a political expression in terms of whether abortion is right or wrong. Nor should it be construed as a form of punishment about women and men who are sexually active and find themselves in a crisis pregnancy. Rather, the question to be asked is, "Should an individual be required to pay for someone else's abortion even though that individual is morally opposed to abortion?"

In the next several weeks, the Student Insurance Committee will begin to renegotiate the current student group health insurance policies with MEGA Life and Health Insurance Company. Since it is University funds which are being used, Pennsylvlania taxpayers have a right to voice their concern. If you do not want your health care premiums or other University funds being used to pay for birth control abortions on demand, then write letters to the chairs of the Insurance Committee:

Dr. Craig Millar

associate vice president, student affairs

210 Old Main

University Park, Pa. 16802

(814) 865-7661