Free contraception may be available to U.S. women in the future, if all goes according to plan under the new health care law.
Government officials and a panel of experts will be meeting in mid-November to discuss what types of preventative measures, if any, will be available free of charge to women under Obamacare.
Public health experts on the subject classify contraception as a method of preventative medicine. According to a Huffington Post blog, Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), author of the women’s health amendment, emphasizes that the intent of the government entertaining the thought of providing free birth control was to “include family planning.”
While there are many who believe that national contraception coverage for all U.S. women is a perfectly sensible idea, there are just as many people who are opposed to this notion for financial or religious reasons.
Enter U.S. Catholic bishops. Bishops may not consider contraception “preventative medicine,” but not only does it prevent pregnancy if used correctly and consistently, it treats and manages many other ailments and conditions such as hormone deficits, acne, and irregular menstruation.
Furthermore, these individuals believe that pregnancy is a “healthy condition” and not an “illness.” Yes, we are all aware of the beauty of pregnancy, the glow of a pregnant woman’s skin, the utter amazement that women are able to pass what looks like a little alien through the birth canal — I will go no further.
However, is pregnancy a “healthy condition” when the act of bearing the child may harm or kill the mother? Is pregnancy a healthy condition when the mother is raped or when she is searching for her next fix?
These examples are extreme, of course. But it just seems ignorant to classify all pregnancies as being healthy conditions. For some women, that may not be the case.
Oh, and one more thing, I’m pretty sure it isn’t healthy for a woman to pop out a kid every year, as is the case for women who are affiliated with religions that do not condone or allow the use of contraceptive methods. Just saying.
A woman has the right to decide what is best for her body and for her life. If contraception was available at no cost to women in the future, it seems as if the rates of unwanted pregnancy, birth and abortion would all decrease dramatically. Just look at these rates in nations where birth control methods are free and you’d be able to see that this idea is a good one.
Did it ever occur to anyone that virtually every sexually active woman would seek effective methods of contraception if they were available to them at little or no cost? Currently, unless a woman has amazing health insurance, her birth control pills, IUDs, and things of the like cost a pretty penny.
Enter, taxpayers. A valid point among some who oppose is if free contraception is implemented into health care reform, who’s going to pay for it? Well, silly, the answer to that one is, you are!
Seriously though, think about it. Sure, under nationalized health care we will be paying more out of pocket, but in the long run, three months worth of oral contraceptives is a helluva lot cheaper than what a child will cost until he or she turns eighteen.
This argument is somewhat premature — no pun intended — as the administration has until next August to work out the kinks but it is certainly something to think about. But really, do you want to see Teen Mom get picked up for another season?
Jessica Wood is a senior biology major and a columnist for the Daily 49er.
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