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The Daily OrangeEditorial | College students need affordable birth control
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Posted: 4/2/07, 12:50 AM EST Section: Opinion
Playing it safe in the sack just became a lot more expensive for college students (see page 1). Budget-reducing legislation is escalating the price of oral contraceptives for women in college. This could pose serious problems if it discourages the use of birth control. Contraceptives must remain affordable on college campuses in order to ensure the financial and physical health of students who aren't ready to be parents.
Before December, Medicaid gave rebates to drug companies so they could sell oral contraceptives to university health-care providers (i.e. SU health center) at reduced costs. College students received discounts on their birth control as a result. In December, a 2005 deficit-reducing bill went into effect and ended the rebate program, increasing the price companies charge for the medication. This increase was in turn passed on to students, and now they face the prospect of paying up to three times more for birth control, depending on their insurance coverage and what university they attend.
Many university students will find a way to afford the higher prices, but that could keep them from purchasing other necessities. No one should be forced to choose between buying birth control or toothpaste, but the financial crunch of college might force women to do so. Birth control pills can already cost as much as $60 dollars per month at the SU health center, so price increases will be harsh. Regardless of whether the rising prices make birth control unaffordable or whether they merely make women pinch pennies a little harder, it is never good to have to pay more for a necessity.
There are alternatives to purchasing affordable birth control through college pharmacies. Organizations such as Planned Parenthood can sometimes distribute contraceptives for free, depending on the case. But these groups are working with limited resources and can't always offer supplies in advance. If a woman acquiring her birth control from Planned Parenthood is going on a long trip, she might be out of luck. These organizations could also be in trouble if they are forced to meet skyrocketing demand because of cuts in the federal budget.
Before December, Medicaid gave rebates to drug companies so they could sell oral contraceptives to university health-care providers (i.e. SU health center) at reduced costs. College students received discounts on their birth control as a result. In December, a 2005 deficit-reducing bill went into effect and ended the rebate program, increasing the price companies charge for the medication. This increase was in turn passed on to students, and now they face the prospect of paying up to three times more for birth control, depending on their insurance coverage and what university they attend.
Many university students will find a way to afford the higher prices, but that could keep them from purchasing other necessities. No one should be forced to choose between buying birth control or toothpaste, but the financial crunch of college might force women to do so. Birth control pills can already cost as much as $60 dollars per month at the SU health center, so price increases will be harsh. Regardless of whether the rising prices make birth control unaffordable or whether they merely make women pinch pennies a little harder, it is never good to have to pay more for a necessity.
There are alternatives to purchasing affordable birth control through college pharmacies. Organizations such as Planned Parenthood can sometimes distribute contraceptives for free, depending on the case. But these groups are working with limited resources and can't always offer supplies in advance. If a woman acquiring her birth control from Planned Parenthood is going on a long trip, she might be out of luck. These organizations could also be in trouble if they are forced to meet skyrocketing demand because of cuts in the federal budget.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
karl
posted 4/02/07 @ 8:34 PM EST
College students HAVE affordable birth control. Its called a condom. $5 for 3. Get over it.
Erin
posted 4/03/07 @ 10:57 PM EST
Perhaps this higher cost of BCPs will cause students to rethink their behavior; to realize the reality of the 'risks' of sex: PREGNANCY being one of them, not to mention STDs. (Continued…)
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