Obamacare Free Birth Control Decision Is About Raw Politics

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Nearly 40% of all births in the USA are paid for with tax dollars. This will save millions in the long run. Anyone who thinks otherwise isn't being realistic.

Pam of KS 11:05PM October 09, 2012

Free birthcontrol is an very important healthcare value in the US. It should be mandatory actually, especially if your under age, unemployed, uneducated, under the influence of drugs, alcohol, emotional stress, lack the social ability to direct a minor, had a disfuntional upbringing or unable to provide a good environment to raise children. Breeding is expensive and a long time duty so when one makes the decision to breed and can't afford it or is in no position to provide for the choice, they need an outlet called birthcontrol for before with pills, during called abortion or after called adoption. Family Court is filled with deadbeat parents who can not or will not support their offspring let alone get along with their breeding mate and this is a growing problem in the US. I say take the birthcontrol and be responsible with whom one breeds with.

nubiq of TX 7:44AM June 29, 2012

To a woman, like myself, who has PCOS and NEEDS birth control on a daily basis just to feel semi-normal this is a brilliant idea.

Alicia of PA 6:24AM May 18, 2012

It's pure gunius. Yes, I am a woman, a mother of 3, and a nurse. It's one of the best ideas I've ever heard. And I am so proud that it is coming from a man. In the long run it will save mega millions in so many ways. How much money do you think is spent in foster care, welfare, Medicaid, drugs abuse counseling, unwnted teen pregnancy counseling, free lunch programs, after school programs, and jail costs, for all of the kids / people who were ever born @ a time when maybe they really shouldn't have been?? Maybe their mom's weren't ready yet, or going through a really tough time in their life. Wouldn't it have been nice it that was the ONE thing that they didn't have to worry about. Raising a child is the most challenging job in the world, financially, physically and emotionally. We spend tax dollars on so many other silly things that I think this one is a no brainer. Take a percentage out of every states Lotto winnings, or something. My applause to President Obama and anyone who contributed to this wonderful idea. Pure and simple... Genius.
So if your not ready for it financially, physically, emotionally

Cheryl Porter of NY 7:43AM February 11, 2012

Birth control isn't that easy to get. I know as a poor woman how difficult it is to afford birth control that one actually wants to take. Many women are on the pill, not because they feel they are responsible enough to remember to take it at the same time every day but because it is the cheapest option. Options in which a women doesn't have to remember every day are generally anywhere from $20/month-900/10year more expensive. The mandatory clinician visit to even get a prescription is anywhere between $60 and 100 if there is no funding or one doesn't have insurance. Even with insurance there is the highly likely deductible of $50-500.
And hopefully, if a woman's broke their partner will feel responsible to help pay for birth control they both benefit from. There is still the chance the hormone balance won't work with her chemistry and cause all sort of medical problems that aren't very fun or obvious to deal with and cause major strain on relationship.
I'm not even to the potential cost of carrying out a pregnancy or having an abortion. I seriously think BC is one thing that we can all benefit enough to make it worth the few billion budget hit. If I got to pick where my taxes went, government funded birth control would be right next to education.

anera of OR 5:39PM January 31, 2012

It appears that the Obama administration looks upon children as nothing more than sexually transmitted diseases. In that event, The insurance companies providing morning after pills and birth control pills free gratis would seem appropriate.
[W3]

W. W Woodward of TX 7:40PM August 19, 2011

This is a good decision that will, in the long run, save FAR more than it costs upfront. In any case, the insurance companies don't pay retail for these drugs; don't you realize how much markup there is? Let the drug companies take a tiny cut in profit, they already make billions.
Plus, encouraging birth control will prevent unwanted pregnancies and thus reduce abortions. Shouldn't that be a common goal of all Americans?

Charles Emerson of CO 10:58AM August 06, 2011

While All birth control is not 100% effective, the biggest problem with unwanted pregnancies is not .1% it is a direct result of irresponsable behavior. I.E. Woman who do not take the pill correctly (or as scheduled), men who refuse to wear a condom, and ignorant teenagers. I feel this law will do little to curb the problem they are trying fix. Another problem is going to be the skyrocketing of STD's if more women are on the pill, less men will use condoms. While I'll agree their intentions were good, I just don't see this even putting a dent in the problem.

Ymerej of SC 9:04AM August 03, 2011

"Birth control comes in various forms. It can be a very expensive benefit. If insurers can't at least charge a co-payment the cost of insurance will go up."
The costs associated with birth and additional dependents are far greater than the cost of birth control. Kind of invalidates your entire argument.
"When the cost of insurance goes up Obama can blame everything on the insurance companies again. The drug companies will make out very well on this deal. People will buy expensive brand name Birth control. Any person who really wants birth control and cannot afford it can always get a generic brand that cost $5 at Walmart. All this law is doing is allowing people who get insurance to get a freebie."
No. Not all BCs have generics for $5. There is no generic IUD. There is no generic NuvaRing. There is no generic sterilization. There is no generic doctor's appt. to get a prescription for generic medication. And many women cannot handle the side effects of generic HBC medications.
Furthermore, the fact that this is for people who have already BOUGHT insurance makes it NOT a freebie. Do you actually know what a freebie is? Hint: it's free, i.e., not my insurance premiums that I pay.

Augusta Christensen of MD 6:57AM August 03, 2011

Birth control comes in various forms. It can be a very expensive benefit. If insurers can't at least charge a co-payment the cost of insurance will go up.
When the cost of insurance goes up Obama can blame everything on the insurance companies again. The drug companies will make out very well on this deal. People will buy expensive brand name Birth control. Any person who really wants birth control and cannot afford it can always get a generic brand that cost $5 at Walmart. All this law is doing is allowing people who get insurance to get a freebie.

barbara of NY 6:48AM August 03, 2011