Because it is a very inexpensive service to offer, especially to low income and young people, compared to the cost (both in dollars and socially) incurred when having a baby? If you think of it in those terms, there is probably a very good return on investment from offerring free contraception.

 

And gettting them jobs, instead of handing them cash because they exist seems like a good idea too.

I think most folks are missing the point. The health care bill mandates that routine preventive care be provided as part of the insurance package without a deductible or a co-pay. Routine exams and birth control are included as part of that routine care. The thinking is that providing routine care without cost will encourage its use and help to lower health care costs, as well as providing good long term care. I suspct they are right. As an interesting aside, several years ago I was negotiating the renewal of the company's insurance plan. We had received notice of a major premium increase. As part of the negotiation I asked how much the premiums would be reduced if we eliminated the routine annual physical coverage. I was told that it wouldn't reduce the cost and might even increase it. The thinking from the insurance company was that encouaging an annual physical would reduce claims over the long term. I understand the objection from the church to paying for something that they feel is wrong and I supported their objection to the rules as presented. Asking the insurance companies to provide the coverage at no cost to their covered women will save the insuance companies money, will provide women with the health care they need and will eliminate any need for the chuches to be involved. A win all around.

 

If you believe the insurance companies will not find a way to allocate the upfront costs to all policy holders. From what I've read that's a concern.

I saw some banter on TV this morning. Who exactly is being denied birth control?

Why do you think it shouldn't be free?

 

Who said it was free? Nothings free...

I saw some banter on TV this morning. Who exactly is being denied birth control?

 

No one is being denied. You can purchase birth control at any community center or pharmacy.

No one is being denied. You can purchase birth control at any community center or pharmacy.

 

Exactly. So why mandate it that it has to be provided at no cost to the consumer?

POTUS is giving us a little peak under the tent. Imagine what is coming after election.

Exactly. So why mandate it that it has to be provided at no cost to the consumer?

 

Apparently, it's a symbol for women having freedom and control over their reproductive organs. Personally, I think that's a slap in the face to most women. They have complete control over their lives, who said the government gave them the right to be free through a drug.

 

Government should not be involved with health insurance. Since they are providers now, they can dictate what you eat. i.e. Heavy taxes on sugar products, etc. Because it plays a factor in your health, which they have control over. I'm sure there are plenty of other cases as well.

BHO, thank you for awaking the Catholics and Christians. lol

Why do you think it shouldn't be free?

 

Why aren't condoms free? Why isn't insulin free? I just don't understand why contraception is deemed so important to the well being of women that they should have access to it at no cost to them.

Would this also deter wanted pregnancies?

 

Probably, but wouldn't that be an acceptable outcome if it reduces the number of unwanted children? How about offering a cash payment for women that will allow themselves to be sterilized after a pre-determined number of pregnancies they can't afford.

Maybe if religious groups would come out against treatment of diabetes, or others, we could get those treatments for free. Mandates are being made to make birth control available to women, through their insurance companies, that may not share the same beliefs as their religious based employers. That do not want to provide such coverage. As vocal as the Catholic Church is against birth control, with their teachings and beliefs. There are many, many Catholic women that use birth control. I'm not saying who is wrong, or who is right. If there is a wrong or right. The way I see the mandates for birth control, it is an effort to give the same coverage to all women, regardless of coverage provided by their religious based employer. It's like an addendum they can add to their provided coverage, on their own. When I still worked, my employer offered life insurance at no cost to me. I had the option to buy more coverage than my employer offered. I see this as much the same thing, except it is at no additional cost. JMO

Probably, but wouldn't that be an acceptable outcome if it reduces the number of unwanted children? How about offering a cash payment for women that will allow themselves to be sterilized after a pre-determined number of pregnancies they can't afford.

Or how about rounding up all the women of childbearing age on public assistance and offer them the option of either having no more kids or face stertilization .

That sounds like a great idea. They should do that right after they drug test them.

Maybe if religious groups would come out against treatment of diabetes, or others, we could get those treatments for free. Mandates are being made to make birth control available to women, through their insurance companies, that may not share the same beliefs as their religious based employers. That do not want to provide such coverage. As vocal as the Catholic Church is against birth control, with their teachings and beliefs. There are many, many Catholic women that use birth control. I'm not saying who is wrong, or who is right. If there is a wrong or right. The way I see the mandates for birth control, it is an effort to give the same coverage to all women, regardless of coverage provided by their religious based employer. It's like an addendum they can add to their provided coverage, on their own. When I still worked, my employer offered life insurance at no cost to me. I had the option to buy more coverage than my employer offered. I see this as much the same thing, except it is at no additional cost. JMO

 

Again the no cost premise. Someone's paying for it. What do you say to the church organizations that are self insured? "Hey, we know it goes against your beliefs, but we don't care. You're going to provide it anyway." Not gonna fly.