Pills are not relatively inexpensive. The last pill I was on cost $52 for four weeks. And if you are worried about economic efficiency, how about the fact that according to the Center For Disease Control's 2005 Survey of Vital and Health Statistics, nearly 30% of women have had either an unwanted pregnancy or a mistimed pregnancy. In many instances that leads to both mother and baby depending on the public healthcare system, i.e. tax dollars, to pay the medical expenses. The cost of providing insurance coverage of contraception would be minimal compared with what is spent in handling unwanted or mistimed prenancies.

You make two mistakes...One is assuming that almost every woman uses birth control. Approximately 62% of women use some method of contraception, and 22% of those women are using condoms or withdrawal.

Two - Actually, the cost wouldn't go up much at all. When the federal government added contraceptive coverage to its comprehensive prescription plan, they did so at no additional cost to the government or to employees. And it is estimated that at most, for employer provided plans, the cost would go up less than $2 per person per month.

Insurance shouldn't be used for small things like birth control. Insurance, in my opinion, is for things no one can find the money to pay for right away without going bankrupt or poor or whatever. Also, there are 3 main types of birth control and when I think about insurance, condoms aren't in this picture. People use condoms like candy, it's ridiculous; they can pay for them them self. The pill, although is pretty much under the same insurance as prescription drugs anyway, should still be paid for... it doesn't even cost that much. The IUDs, are actually a lot cheaper and aren't to be messed with for years and years, and could still be paid for by the patient. I look at it this way, someone's sex life is their business, not the countries, not the doctors, not God's... and if they want to have a ton of sex -safely - they should be able to afford the safety factors.

I think that making these couples pay for their own birth control would make them act more responsibly. If they have to pay for their own pills, etc then they won't waste the birth control. Also, I REALLY think abortion, if legal, should be paid out of pocket too. This will turn away a lot of women and also make them responsible for their actions.

This isn't a direct cause of birth control. It's more about education than it is about providing birth control. I also would love for you to check this out for your own benefit. You should know about all your options.

Here is an authority, and I mean authority, on health, wellness and nutrition. This is relation to birth control:

http://search.lef.org/search/default.aspx?s=1&QUERY;=birth%20control

And to make it easier for your navigation. you should find these words highlighted: Birth, control, and Birth Control

And when I say authority this is what I mean: they have an a+ rating with the bbb, they have a 29 year solid track record of scientific studies and they put the FDA in it's place as well as come out with things that are so ahead of the curve it's ridiculous. And in case you're wondering, this was found after 2+ months research that I and a fellow researcher found. (his background is about 45 years in the health field and his title is Dr.-I trust him with my life)

But you also have to be very careful with doctors...The pharmaceutical companies have them so manipulated it's ridiculous!

After re-reading Planned Parenthood's answer to this question regarding costs of Birth Control pills; "Birth control pills may be purchased with a prescription at a drugstore or clinic. They cost about $15–$50 a month. Medicaid and private health insurance may cover the pill. Family planning clinics usually charge less than private health care providers." they are relatively inexpensive!

I don't know what your situation is with regard to being insured or not and if you are without a job or funds but many Pharmaceutical companies also have patient assistance programs where your total cost is ZERO if you qualify. I would venture a guess in stating that unwanted and mistimed pregnancies are probably one and the same, especially if you've been on that particular pill long enough to know if it works for you and do not become impregnated within the first month or two of taking them. Women take risks just as men do when having sex. Miscounting days and not playing it safe by the male using a condom if you're not certain of your timing would cut down on many unwanted or mistimed pregnancies. $52.00 monthly is very high end for a Birth Control pill. Perhaps you would do just as well on a less expensive medication. Ask your doctor about it and also get some samples from him/her. Doctor's are usually willing to help someone who is having financial difficulties.

Health insurance is for emergencies when you get hurt bad or your body goes wrong and need surgery. Taking birth control pills mean that you want to do it but you don't want to be pregnant. It's all wanting and not needing.

No, I don't. If you're a woman I think that your visit to your OB-GYN should be covered but not the pills, if that's what they're prescribing. Birth Control pills are relatively inexpensive as are Birth Control methods on the male side. I'd rather see the money that would be spent on Birth Control methods of any kind go to help people who cannot afford the highly expensive drugs we MUST take today. Seniors are especially at risk because of income restrictions. Give them a break! Most people in the age range of conception can afford to pay for them without going to the poor house and doctors give out samples all the time if you're a bit pressed or are experimenting with the right formulation for you. Probably for the cost of two drinks, you'd be covered for the whole month if not more!

Birth Control pills have side effects having to do with hormones, blood clots, cancer and can be connected to high blood pressure and cholesterol. Certainly there are other risks in pregnancy that come from your own body processes but the risk one faces in pregnancy is no reason to have the pills covered under insurance.

well, insurance shouldn't be forced to cover shit... you choose your insurance fuckers. so choose one that fits your needs.

It wouldn't matter as almost every woman uses birth control.

Because almost every woman uses birth control, if birth control would be added to insurance, the cost of the insurance for women would go op equivalently with which you would normally buy your birth control pills.

Agreed, it is silly to put such regular things under health insurance. Insurance is supposed to be for emergencies.

When you think about it, men don't take birth control, so a logical conclusion is that women want to offset the cost onto men. They want men to pay for their health care. Kinda sexist if you ask me. Feminists demand freedom, which includes contraception, but they still want men to foot the bill. Freedom isn't free ladies!

I think birth control should be available without a prescription (like all drugs IMO) so that women have easy access.