why is contraception(for women) so damn expensive

[BlaqueKatt]

ok didn't want to threadjack the pro-choice christians thread:

However these stats from the religious coalition for reproductive rights kinda jumped out at me:

49% of the 6.3 million pregnancies that occur each year are unplanned; 47% of these occur among the 7% of women at risk of unintended pregnancy who do not practice contraception.

Low income and uninsured women need affordable contraception. A woman with low income is four times as likely to have an unintended pregnancy, five times as likely to have an unintended birth, and four times as likely to have an abortion than a woman with higher income (and the resources to pay for or access contraception.)

I know that "the pill" is the most widely used and most effective(when correctly used) form of "short-term" contraception-and it's been around for 50 years or so.

So can someone explain to me why it still costs $30-$50 per month?
(while my tylenol 3's for migraines cost around $12 without insurance)
and why some insurance carriers won't pay for it but will pay for childbirth?

And people wonder why abortion rates are high-simple hint, not enough education on birth control options, and not enough access to it.

Damn you religious right<shakes fist>, you claim you want to lower abortion rates but refuse to help with the options that would lower it-auuuugh!*

I think the money wasted by religious groups to try and restrict abortion would be better spent on improving education about contraception methods and increasing access for lower-income families-but as long as I'm wishing for things that will never happen.....I'd like a unicorn pony......


*and before anyone brings it up the rates for abortion due to rape/incest are pretty much statistically insignificant
Up to 32,000 women become pregnant each year as a result of rape or incest. 10,000-15,000 women have abortions each year following rape or incest.

Worldwide, an estimated 46 million abortions occur each year.

10,000 vs 46 million is statistically insignificant-heck even if all 32,000 aborted it would still be statistically insignificant.

[BroomJockey]

I think the money wasted by religious groups to try and restrict abortion would be better spent on improving education about contraception methods and increasing access for lower-income families-

Those religious groups don't want you using BC either, you know.

[BlaqueKatt]

Those religious groups don't want you using BC either, you know.

yes but I think they'd prefer the lesser of two evils...but not being a member of the aforementioned religious groups..what would I know?

[RecoveringKinkoid]

Well, I can't say I agree that it's unaffordable. I have lived WELL below the poverty level and in those days. took advantage of the state run clinic.

All I had to do was bring my last couple paychecks and they'd charge me based on that. I was getting something like 6 months worth of pill for under 20 bucks. It may have been cheaper, don't remember the exact numbers. Even I could afford that.

I don't buy the idea that people don't practice it because they can't afford it. Becuase I find it hard to beleive that they figure an unplanned pregnancy will be cheaper.


And not to get back on this subject again, but it is relevant here...how hard is it to say "wear a condom" to your partner? When you consider you can get a rubber for, what, seventy five cents in a men's room, I don't buy that it's a matter of affordablity.

[BroomJockey]

yes but I think they'd prefer the lesser of two evils.

What, and compromise their morals? Yeah, right.

[Greenday]

Why is contraceptive pills so expensive? Because the health care industry is the biggest load of crap business out there.

Any other questions?

[Cassandra]

What I find infuriating is that most insurance companies will cover the cost of Viagra and other such drugs, but not for birth control pills. I also have found that some insurance companies won't cover for your pregnancy if you become pregnant before signing up for their services. This happened to a new teacher in my district. She found out two days before she started the job that she was pregnant. The insurance company told her that they won't cover because it's a pre-existing condition. I was sitting next to her when the rep told her this. We both looked at each other with a wtf expression.

So the insurance company will cover for viagra, but not for "the pill" nor will it cover if you become pregnant before signing up....yeah....this doesn't make sense to me....

[Mr Slugger]

She found out two days before she started the job that she was pregnant. The insurance company told her that they won't cover because it's a pre-existing condition.

In this state that is illegal I think.

But to the topic, yeah I always found it to be odd when my wife was dealing with birth control. They'd rather pay for babies than pay for not having babies? Then I found it even more surprising when she wanted to get fixed. It was like walking upstream on a raging river. I mean sure in the end they paid for it, but jeez. You'd think they'd be giving doctors bonuses to fix someone. I mean I understand that it's easier to fix guys, but you'd think they'd be happy to get anyone out of making babies.

[AdminAssistant]

It's pretty much free for me right now, but I get my pills from a campus pharmacy and have student health insurance. I'm lucky. It needs to be cheaper (or free) for everyone.

[guywithashovel]

And not to get back on this subject again, but it is relevant here...how hard is it to say "wear a condom" to your partner? When you consider you can get a rubber for, what, seventy five cents in a men's room, I don't buy that it's a matter of affordablity.

That should always be considered. There are plenty of other methods out there, many of which are quite affordable. Take, for exampe, the sponge. According to Planned Parenthood's web site, you can get a package of those for between $9 and $15.


http://www.plannedparenthood.org/hea...ponge-4224.htm

[BlaqueKatt]

Well, I can't say I agree that it's unaffordable. I have lived WELL below the poverty level and in those days. took advantage of the state run clinic.

well we have 2 planned parenthoods in my fair city-both located on campus which is at least 10 miles from the poverty-stricken areas. Both clinics are currently overrun with college students since the student health center stopped giving out free birth control-there was a huge to-do about that.

I don't buy the idea that people don't practice it because they can't afford it. Becuase I find it hard to beleive that they figure an unplanned pregnancy will be cheaper.

$50 a month out of pocket is a hefty chunk of change for some people-and here the state will give you free medical care-but only if you're pregnant or a single mother. There were college students that were interviewed after the policy change that stated they'd just get pregnant and have the state pay for their health care as they could not afford birth control pills at $50 a month.

I also have found that some insurance companies won't cover for your pregnancy if you become pregnant before signing up for their services. This happened to a new teacher in my district. <snip>. The insurance company told her that they won't cover because it's a pre-existing condition. I was sitting next to her when the rep told her this.

um no- pregnancy is not considered a pre-existing condition. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) was signed into law by President Bill Clinton. With this act came the provision that no group health insurance plan can exclude pregnancy as a pre-existing condition. In addition, these plans cannot exclude newborns or adopted children under age 18 as long as you have enrolled the child within 30 days of the birth or adoption.

[DesignFox]

Yea, before I had insurance, my out of pocket expense for pills was $50 bucks a pack for name-brand and $35 per pack generic.

That's quite a chunk of change each month when you only work part-time. The benefits of the pill far outweight those of using condoms alone...so...yea. It gets expensive- especially since you A) have to go to the OBG to get a prescription and B) once you start, unless you WANT to get pregnant, you don't want any gaps where you're not taking them. You can't exactly "skip a month" and jump right back in. They don't work that way.

In principle I agree that if someone really wants to have sex, condoms are the cheap option. I mean, if you're out playing the field you should be using them to prevent disease, regardless of being on the pill or not.

I'm currently very lucky to have insurance with a prescription plan. I get my generic pills now for $30 for a 3 month supply.

Aside from the obvious health benefits from being on the pill (less severe cramps during my period for example) it's good to know I've got backup in case of condom failure.

I think it is a shame that not all women have access to all those benefits.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

$50 a month out of pocket is a hefty chunk of change for some people-and here the state will give you free medical care-but only if you're pregnant or a single mother. .

You mean they won't give you a break on birth control at the clinics? Seriously?

I mean, I live in one of the poorest states, and while it was not free for me, it was very, very cheap. There's no way I could have afforded 50 bucks a month. I probably couldn't have afforded 20 bucks a month.

That's messed up.

[Boozy]

What I find infuriating is that most insurance companies will cover the cost of Viagra and other such drugs, but not for birth control pills.

I believe this is a myth. AFPheonix (I believe) made a post that dispelled this rumour a while back. I'll see if I can dig it up.

That should always be considered. There are plenty of other methods out there, many of which are quite affordable. Take, for exampe, the sponge. According to Planned Parenthood's web site, you can get a package of those for between $9 and $15.

Here's the thing: You get three sponges in a package. They're used once. That's up to five bucks a fuck.

Most women who use the sponge are in long-term, stable relationships (because sponges aren't as effective as the pill, and do not protect against STI's). Which means they are probably getting it pretty regularly. It can add up.

At risk of oversharing, when I was using the sponge as contraceptive, it ran me about $100 a month. Well worth it to avoid the hormones, in my situation, and I could afford it. But I'd imagine many women cannot.

The reason birth control is so expensive for the average American woman? What Greenday said. Your pharmaceutical companies are running the show. A 28-day cycle of birth control pills costs less than $20 in most parts of Canada. And that's unlimited sex for a month, my friends!

[BroomJockey]

And that's unlimited sex for a month, my friends!

I hope you're taking advantage of it