To the Editor:

Your coverage of Sandra Fluke’s testimony in the article “Law Student Mired in Birth Control Debate (The Hoya, A1, March 2, 2012) omits a critical detail: Georgetown Law student insurance covers prescriptions to treat polycystic ovarian syndrome.  The written testimony of Sandra Fluke actually admits this in the anecdotal story of a friend in need of birth control for non-pregnancy preventative measures:  “Her prescription is technically covered by Georgetown’s insurance because it’s not intended to prevent pregnancy.”

A prescription for estrogen should not be characterized contraceptive when used for the care of reproductive disorders. The medication is being used to prevent cysts, not pregnancy.

Sandra Fluke points out a problem in the university’s healthcare policy but advocates for a radical remedy. Georgetown should not be coerced to provide contraception to all insured, especially when the university’s Catholic identity involves upholding Church teachings on sexual ethics. The appropriate solution is to advocate that Georgetown should improve its insurance claims evaluation process so that prescribers can clearly indicate when patients seek to treat reproductive disorders.

Maya Noronha

Georgetown College ’05

Georgetown Law ’11