Don't punish poor women
Birth control costs have increased
-The Daily Astorian
09/24/2007
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Pushing America's budgetary mess onto those citizens with the least economic and political power has reached a new low, with the cost of subsidized monthly birth control increasing by as much as 800 percent for women who rely on Planned Parenthood and student health clinics.
The federal Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 makes it more expensive for drug companies to offer birth-control pills and devices to women with limited financial resources. NuvaRing and the Ortho Evra patch, which don't yet have cheaper generic versions, have increased from a cost of $5 a month to $40.
As a practical matter, this means some low-income women will be forced to switch to birth-control that is not as affordable, convenient or preferable. Beyond increasing the financial pressure on families least equipped to absorb additional costs, a likely consequence will be more unplanned pregnancies.
Saddled with an expensive war, out-of-control entitlement programs and a tax structure that protects corporations and the ultrawealthy, there's no question deficit reduction should be a vital priority.
But like the president's animosity toward expanding health programs for poor children, this is wrong. Congress must revisit and correct this ridiculous added burden on economically vulnerable women.