The Department of Health and Human Services finalized a set of federal regulations on Wednesday that will affect Georgetown and about 2,000 other colleges and universities that offer health insurance plans to students and employees.

The regulations, which will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2013, encompass a wide array of issues. Chief among them is a ban on excluding applicants from health plans based on pre-existing medical conditions. According to the new regulations, insurance companies must also adjust their profit margins for student plans.

In addition, the new regulations require schools to provide coverage of preventative care. This includes contraception, an issue that has stirred debate in recent months since a preliminary version of the policy was announced in late January.

University spokeswoman Stacy Kerr said that the university is monitoring the new regulations closely.

The announcement of these new federal regulations came as the Supreme Court began to hear oral arguments on the health care plan’s constitutionality Monday.

According to H*yas for Choice President Ashley Bradylyons (SFS ’12), several members of the group will be taking part in a Planned Parenthood Rally outside the Supreme Court Tuesday to show support for the act.