Subsidized birth control on Utah’s college campuses
From today’s Deseret News:
The No. 1 drug dispensed on most college campuses may be on its way to being more affordable, if a bill in Congress is successful.
The Prevention Through Affordable Access Act, presented Nov. 1, aims to restore eligibility for college health centers to obtain low-cost birth control. The benefits would trickle down to college students and low-income women in communities.
“Students have had to pay a lot more, and that has meant switching methods or getting generic versions of their prescriptions,” said Jim Averett, a pharmacist at Brigham Young University.
A 28-day supply of birth control pills that was costing students $14 is now more than $35, unless patients opt for a generic medication. Birth control is not only used for family planning situations, but in many cases for other hormonal imbalances, including ovarian cysts.
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“We’ve definitely seen decreased access, and that’s of concern because the pill is a safe and effective form of birth control,” said Dr. Jim Davis, director of student health services at Utah State University.
Davis said college clinics were probably overlooked when Congress adopted the Deficit Reduction Act, which took hold last January. Access to low-cost medications was cut off for campus pharmacies, as well as local safety-net providers of health care, putting cheap birth control out of reach for the estimated 3 million college women and hundreds of thousands of low-income women who take oral contraception.
“It’s not just our single students using birth control; most of our sales are to married students using it to practice family planning,” Davis said. According to student surveys, he said, nearly half of the student population at USU marries before graduation, and to be able to stay in school, birth control is a good option for them.
In discussing and debating the bill, lawmakers in Washington have said its purpose also prevents unwanted pregnancies, which may reduce female enrollment in college.
“If we’re serious about giving students in our universities a chance to finish their degrees and become productive members of our economy, then we ought to help them avoid unintended pregnancies,” said Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, a co-author and supporter of the bill.
I am going to get my libertarian card revoked for this one, but this is a good program. Responsible family planning reduces dependence on the welfare state, increases education and therefore individual economic opportunities and prevents STD’s.
-Tom
Leave a Reply
Dec 26th 2007 • 13:12
by Craig
Birth control pills don’t prevent STD’s. Also, what’s wrong with generic birth control?
Dec 26th 2007 • 16:12
by MacKenzie
One could actually argue that birth control pills would increase the likelihood of STDs because if you aren’t worried about pregnancy, you are less likely to use a condom.
Dec 26th 2007 • 21:12
by Loralee
If there were no stipulation for generic meds, I would agree with you, Tom. I do think that birth control should be available to people with limited financial means. That said, I use generic meds all the time. They are great for the most part. I have no issue with that being a stipulation for students.
I also have to concur with Craig and MacKenzie about STD’s.
Dec 26th 2007 • 23:12
by jess
does medicaid help pay for prescriptions for drugs like viagra or cialis? if the government is going to subsidize pills for men to feel like men, they ought to subsidize birth control pills for college kids, too.
and craig, as a possible answer to “what’s wrong with generic birth control” is that some of the older formulations available in generic form just don’t work for many women, because of the hormones that are in birth control pills. they can cause weight gain, morning sickness and other problems. the newer formulas, which may be under patent, are more advanced and can give couples the birth control they need without the side effects of some of the generic prescriptions.
Dec 27th 2007 • 01:12
by Ryan
Jess, Medicaid NO, Most health plans yes.
As for the generic rule a medical reason could move a patient up a tier type system for use of non-generic is my ideal. I would need significant health reason for the higher cost. Not a convenience issue but a bona fide medical reason for the higher cost.
Ryan