chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Jul 19, 2011 8:50:01 GMT -5
from NPR: Birth Control Without Copays Could Become MandatoryIs there nothing in last year's Affordable Care Act that people won't fight over? The latest battle is set to come to a head Wednesday, when the independent Institute of Medicine is expected to make recommendations about preventive health care services for women. And one service that's drawing a lot of the attentions is contraception. Depending on the group's recommendation, contraception could become part of a package of preventive benefits that every health plan would have to cover without patient cost-sharing. In other words, it would become effectively free. That would have made a big difference for Andrea Leyva, of Tucson, Ariz. A few years ago, following the cancer death of one of her three children, she and her husband — both employed and with health insurance — were nonetheless struggling to pay the bills for them and their remaining two children. The $25 copay for her monthly birth control prescription "began to fall into the category of a luxury for us," she said, and they stopped filling the prescriptions regularly. At age 36, Leyva found herself pregnant with what she calls her "blessed surprise," daughter Alexandria. "So while we're happy that she's here, it was not planned, and had we had some better finances, we probably could have made some better decisions," Leyva says now. *********************************************************************************** click the headline for the rest of this story.
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Post by Savoir Faire-Demogague in NJ on Jul 19, 2011 9:03:00 GMT -5
I'd like to see their monthly budget and other spending. If they cannot manage $6.25 per week for birth control, they've got bigger financial issues.
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Cookies Galore
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Post by Cookies Galore on Jul 19, 2011 9:13:49 GMT -5
As a woman on birth control, I'd be all about it being free. But I'd also be fine with it being a first tier medication. I can, luckily, use a generic that costs me $20 for a three-month supply, but I have a friend who pays $60 a month for hers. She has endometriosis, so going without BCP isn't an option. Well, it is, but she'd be in a ton of pain and would be bleed for two weeks. I would be all for it being covered because it is a preventive method first and it also has health benefits for other conditions. I see people's arguments that their premiums shouldn't pay for something they'll never use, but I don't see myself getting a prostate exam ever or becoming pregnant, and I'm okay with those doctor visits being covered under my group plan.
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jkapp
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Post by jkapp on Jul 19, 2011 9:23:17 GMT -5
The problem with this is the same problem with most things: people are stupid and irresponsible. They get their "free" birth control and then will end up also demanding free medical care for their STDs since "Hey, the birth control was free, so why aren't the other consequences of unprotected sex free??"
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lazysundays
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Post by lazysundays on Jul 19, 2011 9:36:34 GMT -5
My BC isn't covered at all by the insurance. So it's $100 per mo for a brand name that also covers PMDD. I tried the $20/month generics but why bother with those hormone overloads.
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floridayankee
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Post by floridayankee on Jul 19, 2011 10:17:51 GMT -5
....it would become effectively free. wink, wink, nudge, nudge. Bet these folks will be the first to bitch and moan about insurance rates increasing to pay for their "free" shit. At age 36, Leyva found herself pregnant with what she calls her "blessed surprise," daughter Alexandria I like that...she "found herself pregnant." Them damned evil insurance companies got her preggo.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Jul 19, 2011 10:20:09 GMT -5
Them damned evil insurance companies got her preggoIs that how it works? I thought it was because my husband and I had unprotected sex.
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jkapp
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Post by jkapp on Jul 19, 2011 10:29:52 GMT -5
Them damned evil insurance companies got her preggoIs that how it works? I thought it was because my husband and I had unprotected sex. Gives new meaning to being "screwed" by the insurance company
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Jul 19, 2011 10:30:47 GMT -5
Gives new meaning to being "screwed" by the insurance company
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lazysundays
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Post by lazysundays on Jul 19, 2011 10:34:22 GMT -5
Complain enough and you get what you want, like the woman who managed to get her pharmacist to pay child support for her kid because she wasn't informed by pharmacist that antibiotics reduce effectiveness of birth control. In this case it will be cheaper to just get rid of the copay before someone else wins child support from the insurance company.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Jul 19, 2011 10:36:50 GMT -5
pay child support for her kid because she wasn't informed by pharmacist that antibiotics reduce effectiveness of birth control
I will say my pharmacist does take the time to warn me about this, but that information is also included in that little packet of information that comes with your prescription.
And it's usually in all caps too. I had to take a sulfa drug and it was right there at the top in big giant capital letters I couldn't miss.
Apparently DH and I are the only people who read those things.
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Abby Normal
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Post by Abby Normal on Jul 19, 2011 11:11:07 GMT -5
Why should BC not have a copay- when other medications still require them? Why the exception? For some of the copay involved for someone with something serious, like cancer. Listening to someone complain about a $25 co pay for BC seem silly.
Side note- I was on BC for years and had to pay $60/month out of pocket because I couldn't take the generic. Would I have like it to be free? Sure. But this sounds like a political posturing rather than addressing an actual health issue. I can see mandating that all insurance policies cover BC. I had one for a while that didn't. But it shouldn't be "free" just because it's BC.
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Politically_Incorrect12
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Post by Politically_Incorrect12 on Jul 19, 2011 21:44:24 GMT -5
Complain enough and you get what you want, like the woman who managed to get her pharmacist to pay child support for her kid because she wasn't informed by pharmacist that antibiotics reduce effectiveness of birth control. In this case it will be cheaper to just get rid of the copay before someone else wins child support from the insurance company. Where did this happen?
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Politically_Incorrect12
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Post by Politically_Incorrect12 on Jul 19, 2011 21:49:01 GMT -5
The next argument will be that condoms and diaphragms should be covered. There has already been the complaint that it is sexist for insurance companies to cover Viagra and not BC...
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mmhmm
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Post by mmhmm on Jul 19, 2011 22:01:38 GMT -5
It's not only sexist to cover Viagra and not cover birth control. It's downright stupid! Personally, I believe diaphragms, implants, and other invasive forms of birth control should be covered, as well. I wouldn't yell too loud if condoms were covered, even though they're not invasive. If we want to do something constructive about the number of babies being born that shouldn't be born because the mother/parents can't afford them, it's a heck of a lot better to be proactive about it on all fronts than to sit around and gripe!
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Jul 19, 2011 22:02:50 GMT -5
<karma> mmhmm. spot on!
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Miss Tequila
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Post by Miss Tequila on Jul 19, 2011 22:05:58 GMT -5
It's not only sexist to cover Viagra and not cover birth control. It's downright stupid! Personally, I believe diaphragms, implants, and other invasive forms of birth control should be covered, as well. I wouldn't yell too loud if condoms were covered, even though they're not invasive. If we want to do something constructive about the number of babies being born that shouldn't be born because the mother/parents can't afford them, it's a heck of a lot better to be proactive about it on all fronts than to sit around and gripe! I'd rather pay for birth control that babies that the mom can't afford or an abortion I pay $25 a month for bc...not having to worry about diapers, midnight feedings, terrible twos...priceless
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mmhmm
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Post by mmhmm on Jul 19, 2011 22:07:19 GMT -5
Absolutely, misstequila. There is absolutely no sense in complaining about babies being born to people who can't afford them, then bitch about trying to do something about the problem. That, to me, is beyond comprehension.
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cereb
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Post by cereb on Jul 19, 2011 22:17:20 GMT -5
It's not only sexist to cover Viagra and not cover birth control. It's downright stupid! Personally, I believe diaphragms, implants, and other invasive forms of birth control should be covered, as well. I wouldn't yell too loud if condoms were covered, even though they're not invasive. If we want to do something constructive about the number of babies being born that shouldn't be born because the mother/parents can't afford them, it's a heck of a lot better to be proactive about it on all fronts than to sit around and gripe! Exactly!
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cereb
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Post by cereb on Jul 19, 2011 22:20:14 GMT -5
OK, so when my kids were teens I had a sign on the fridge that said" CONDOMS ARE YOUR FRIEND" and they got them in their Christmas stockings and Easter baskets. Nether has had a pregnancy accident, they are now both in their mid 20's.
;D
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gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Jul 19, 2011 22:20:20 GMT -5
If they could just offer one reasonably priced birth control pill over the counter (or behind the counter), that should help bridge the gap. Yes, I know there are reasons for the perscriptions, but it's not like anyone's getting high on birth control pills. Plus, they've managed to do it with Plan B, so I would think there could be one OTC option by now where you don't need a perscription.
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mmhmm
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Post by mmhmm on Jul 20, 2011 7:56:07 GMT -5
I managed to raise two kids without an unwanted pregnancy, as well, cereb. I did it the same way you did ... with openness and honesty. I wasn't stupid enough to assume my kids weren't going to experiment with their sexuality, so we faced the bear in its den and learned about it. It worked for me, and it worked for you; however, many, many parents either don't know how, or don't want to face that sort of music and dance. That's why birth control and education needs to be made available for young people ... so they can protect themselves.
gooddecisions, the reason birth control needs to be by prescription isn't because people might get "high" from birth control pills. It's because birth control pills aren't the answer for every woman due to the side-effects they can produce. Some women just shouldn't take them. They have to use another method in order to protect their health. If something can be developed that doesn't have dangerous side effects for some women, an OTC option would be great!
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billisonboard
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Post by billisonboard on Jul 20, 2011 8:04:11 GMT -5
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Post by BeenThere...DoneThat... on Jul 20, 2011 8:30:58 GMT -5
>>> Is there nothing in last year's Affordable Care Act that people won't fight over? <<< ...I doubt it...
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swamp
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Post by swamp on Jul 20, 2011 8:32:35 GMT -5
Absolutely, misstequila. There is absolutely no sense in complaining about babies being born to people who can't afford them, then bitch about trying to do something about the problem. That, to me, is beyond comprehension. Amen. I don't really think the gov should be mandating no copays on birth control when other drugs require copays, however, I see the point and if it would reduce the amount of money spent on Medicaid, food stamps and various other welfare programs, I'm good with it.
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mmhmm
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Post by mmhmm on Jul 20, 2011 8:41:35 GMT -5
That's how I feel about it, swamp. While it might not be the epitome of answers, it's a damn sight better than doing nothing other than complain.
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floridayankee
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Post by floridayankee on Jul 20, 2011 8:58:02 GMT -5
If one cannot afford the co-pay for BC, should they chance the costs of pregnancy to begin with? IMHO, this is just another step towards eliminating personal responsibility. Pulling out or keeping the lap lizard zipped up to begin with are forms of free birth control. Eliminating co-pays is simply passing the cost on to other policy holders.
Too bad more people don't think with the head on their shoulders rather than the one between their legs.
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Jul 20, 2011 9:01:26 GMT -5
If one cannot afford the co-pay for BC, should they chance the costs of pregnancy to begin with? IMHO, this is just another step towards eliminating personal responsibility. Pulling out or keeping the lap lizard zipped up to begin with are forms of free birth control. Eliminating co-pays is simply passing the cost on to other policy holders. Too bad more people don't think with the head on their shoulders rather than the one between their legs. that is a very valid point, FY. the question you need to answer though, is would you rather pay for the BC, or either the abortion or care of the unwanted child? it's not an "if" but a "when".
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mmhmm
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Post by mmhmm on Jul 20, 2011 9:02:02 GMT -5
Should they take the chance of pregnancy, floridayankee? Of course, they shouldn't! That's elementary, my dear Watson. Nevertheless, sexuality is a biological imperative that the vast majority cannot, and will not resist. I'd rather see the co-pays gone than see more babies born who cannot be afforded, are not wanted, and end up being cared for by the same tax dollars that could have been used to help prevent their birth in the first place. Saying what people should do is simply not productive. We can cry to the heavens about personal responsibility all we like; however, when the horse is standing up to its chin in water and won't drink ...
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Post by privateinvestor on Jul 20, 2011 9:09:01 GMT -5
1. Brilliant in its simplicity... A. Back off and let those men who want to marry men, marry men.
B. Allow those women who want to marry women, marry women.
C. Allow those folks who want to abort their babies, abort their babies.
D. In three generations, there will be no Democrats
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