[desperate_housewife2008]

I just want to say how infuriated I am when I see how much the birth control pill costs. It should be fully reimbursed by any health insurance and available for people who cannot afford health insurance.
Every time I see a piece about "pro life"/anti abortion bull**** in the news or simply when the medias expose a new statistic about teenage pregnancy, I just want to stab myself in the eye. Repeatedly.
Easy access to the pill should be a given, it should not be complicated to get it. And the same goes for the day after pill. You should get it for free from the school nurse or at the planned parenthood.
When I was living in France, if I had forgotten to go to the doctor (who i paid one euro per visit) to get a prescription and had to start day one of the pill right away, I could go to the pharmacy and the pharmacian would give me a box of pill, for no more than $15 which I'd get reimbursed later on by me FREE health insurance. The state of health services (if you can call them services) in the United States is sickening.

So I'm not writing this to brag and say "american health insurance system sucks, France does it right" , I just hope that you'll think about it and vote for the candidate who'll fix this. And in the meantime, you can demonstrate, sign petitions, etc.

WE can do something about it if we all refuse to be part of a hyppocritical system and start showing our discontentment. This is not a freaking third world country yet the health system looks a lot like it.

[hennypenny]

I disagree. I think condoms are more effective, and that's what I'd like to see more use of encouraged. I also think if someone is old enough and responsible enough to be sexually active, they should be capable of paying for it. I also am strongly against kids getting the pill easily at school. Does the school nurse know my child's medical history? No? Well then they have no business giving her the pill!

[JeanLynn81]

I'm confused. Are you advocating for children under the age of 18?

As far as I know, the clinics by me are VERY affordable. Its a flat fee of $35 a visit. That includes any tests and medicine they give you. I went there on Wed. of this week, paid $35, and got a full checkup for std's and hiv. If necessary, at that very same visit, I could have asked to be put on bc, and that would have been included in what I paid.

The morning after pill is free. At least here in MO it is. My friend has had to take it on 3 seperate occasions so I know. She does DONATE $10 a visit, but that is up to her, and not a required fee.

Condoms are given away for free at just about any clinic, and yes, teenagers can get them too without a parent there.

SO, there are very inexpensive programs in place, you just have to know where to look!

[twinzplus3]

I have to agree with the pp. . .the pill is very affordable and easy to get. I am 100% against children getting the pill without parental consent. . .and I agree that condoms are more effective. There isn't a candidate who can fix this.. .and the grass is always greener on the other side.

[gaby12]

I would agee with the poster... I don't think she mentioned children, that is a totally different subject. Cmon guys, My health insurance (I work for a major airline) pays for Viagra and does NOT PAY FOR my yearly well woman exam, or any forms of birth control. I am about to shell out $600 for an IUD... That, folks stinks!

[gaby12]

Oh, and BTW, when I walk down to the corner market, which happens to be frequented by "imigrants" who have not bothered to respect this country enough to learn the language and have 6 kids in tow, one bun in the oven, I wish they would make the pill, or even sterilization FREE to these people. But hey, that's probably a lofty goal, but then again,,, I am an idealist.

[LeanyBean]

Gaby, I'm sorry about your insurance. I think it should be reversed. But I am against how popular Viagra is, so I'm biased. I also had a scare when I was a teenager involving an abnormal pap, so again I am biased.

Gotta agree with Jean about knowing where to look. DH has insurance through work where we pay a $20 co-pay for dr visits which covers labs as well. Prescriptions are separate and have $10 co-pay for generic/$30 for name brand but there are exceptions to the rule. Such as Enbrel not being covered at all (DH has severe plaque psoriasis and Enbrel did not help one bit) and it cost $45 for a weeks worth of Tamiflu.

[Samual]

Here all contraception is free, yet some people pay for condoms which is a bit foolish, so it is not a problem here at all, yet some people actually try to use that excuse when they suddenly become pregnant, who knew sex made babies. Though I'm curious, how is someone under 18 a child?

[gaby12]

Originally Posted by LeanyBean

Gaby, I'm sorry about your insurance. I think it should be reversed. But I am against how popular Viagra is, so I'm biased. I also had a scare when I was a teenager involving an abnormal pap, so again I am biased.

Gotta agree with Jean about knowing where to look. DH has insurance through work where we pay a $20 co-pay for dr visits which covers labs as well. Prescriptions are separate and have $10 co-pay for generic/$30 for name brand but there are exceptions to the rule. Such as Enbrel not being covered at all (DH has severe plaque psoriasis and Enbrel did not help one bit) and it cost $45 for a weeks worth of Tamiflu.

Just curious,,, why against viagra? I am not for or against.. Anyway you are correct, it should be the other way around.

[oweirdo]

My insurance will not pay for any BC either, they will shell out $5000 for birth and another couple grand for 18 years of health care but nothing to prevent it. HOWEVER I do not want my child to get BC pills from school! Its not what I want her doing behind my back. I will strive to teach that abstinence is best, however if there is activity please come see me and we will work together.
When I decided to become active, it was up to me to provide my BC. I did not and paid a very very high price, more than you know. If your "big" enough to be active you are big enough to take the responsiblity of birth control. Yes it should be easier to get, but not given out at school!