Birth Control Prices fly through the roof at Universities across the US - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

surferlove007 · 04-30-2007, 08:53 AM

"UHS hikes birth control prices

By Victoria Whitford
Princetonian Staff Writer

The cost of birth control pills offered at University Health Services has skyrocketed in recent months, raising fears that women may switch to less effective methods or stop using contraception altogether. Students and health professionals are concerned this development could increase the risk of unplanned pregnancies.

Due to changes in federal legislation, Princeton no longer qualifies for reduced pricing for contraceptive pills and injections, the University announced this week. Prices have climbed from a $6 monthly flat rate to as much as $45 for some brand-name drugs, which students will have to buy from pharmacies.

"As the price goes up, women will make decisions about using expensive birth control or relying on other methods such as condoms, which may not be as reliable," said Dr. Peter Johnsen of University Health Services (UHS). "This involves tough choices for some women."

"We're all upset about this legislation," UHS coordinator of women's and men's health Olga Hernandez added. "We're worried that women will stop using birth control."

Several students said they were concerned at the rising prices. "I think the cost is an issue. I'm a broke college kid and every penny is put to use," one senior said. Several women interviewed for this article were granted anonymity in order to protect their medical privacy.

Arielle Lutwick GS, who worked at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Chicago before coming to Princeton, said UHS informed her several months ago during a regular visit to the clinic that her preferred contraceptive method, the popular NuvaRing, would no longer be available there.

"Students don't have a lot of money, and the number of months I have to pay for this before I get new health insurance will be a strain on my budget," she said.

UHS officials added they are trying to cushion the price hikes for students. "If they have insurance we will work with them to get the best price possible," Hernandez said.

UHS ordered a stock of brand-name drugs soon after learning of the upcoming change, and some students took advantage of this by buying multiple packs of pills at the lower price. Once those supplies run out, the University will only offer generic contraceptives, at a price of $15-$25 a month. But generic drugs may not suit everyone, and switching drugs can cause unpleasant side effects.

Students who want to remain with a preferred brand will have to obtain a prescription from UHS. The University's student health insurance policy specifically excludes contraception, so if women are not covered by their parents' health plans, they must pay full price at the pharmacy. Costs can range from $27 a month for oral contraceptives like Desogen and Lo-Ovral to as high as $45 a month for NuvaRing.

UHS also offers the three-shot human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for $402. Some insurance companies cover the cost of the vaccine, though the Student Health Plan does not.

But some students are reluctant to admit to their parents that they are sexually active in order to benefit from family insurance policies. "I first started using birth control when I came to college. I did it without telling my parents. There was a huge fallout when they found out about it," a senior said. "In a lot of families, this isn't something you can discuss."

Legal wrangle

The soaring cost of contraception is due to a complex provision in the Federal Deficit Reduction Act, a law passed in 2005 which came into effect in January of this year. The legislation requires drug companies to offer providers of Medicaid and other safety-net healthcare services the lowest price possible for prescription drugs.

For years, pharmaceutical companies have offered steep discounts to student health centers for contraceptive pills in order to build brand loyalty among young women and reap future profits. But under the terms of the act, the drug companies would have to offer Medicaid providers the same deal, so they have hiked the price for university clinics.

Reproductive health experts said legislators did not appear to have understood the repercussions. "Even the Bush Administration is not that Machiavellian. It's an unintended consequence," said James Trussel, a reproductive health expert who is also director of Princeton's Office of Population Research.

Some students were not so sure. "I was a little bit surprised and disappointed. This seems to be catering towards a certain morality-based view of what should be a medical issue," one undergraduate said.

The American College Health Association has been campaigning for university health centers to be exempted from the Federal Deficit Reduction Act along with family planning clinics. According to Congressional Quarterly, a provision to do just this was added last month to the proposed Iraq Supplemental Bill, which allocates funds for the war in Iraq.

But the provision was removed, apparently due to complaints from antiabortion groups and from Congressmen opposed to pork-barrel amendments. A spokesman for Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.), who chairs the Defense Appropriations Committee, did not return requests for comment.

The costs of unintended pregnancy

Medics urged students to continue using birth control despite the rising prices. "The obvious equation is that if you're sexually active and not using birth control, you run the risk of becoming pregnant," Johnsen said.

According to a 2006 survey by the American College Health Association, about 38 percent of female undergraduates use oral contraceptives, eight percent have taken emergency contraception, commonly known as the morning-after pill, and 1.5 percent get pregnant unintentionally. One percent of women also said that unplanned pregnancy led to problems with their academic work.

UHS officials would not say how many Princeton women use contraceptives or have become unintentionally pregnant.

Sara Viola '08, of Princeton Pro-Choice Vox, said she felt the University should include contraception in its health insurance plan. "My understanding is their hands are tied [with this legislation], but I think they have a responsibility to fix the problem," she said. "We're preparing for careers and grad school and the last thing we should have to worry about is unintended pregnancy."

Recent research estimates the direct medical costs of unintended pregnancies in the United States at $5 billion a year, whereas direct medical cost savings due to contraceptive use amount to $19 billion a year, Trussel said in an email.

"Both Medicaid and the private health insurance industry are likely to spend significantly more for unintended pregnancies than they would have spent on contraceptive coverage," he said.

"From a policy perspective, I think it's outrageous," Lutwick said. "The cost of unintended pregnancy and abortion far outweighs the cost of contraception, so the idea that this [legislation] is really going to do much the fix the federal deficit is laughable."

Courtesy of:
http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/arc...ws/17978.shtml

I must say that totally sucks.
I went to go refill a prescription for my BC (nuvaring) and it would have cost $36.00 for one when I was paying $15.00 per month otherwise.
Fortunately for me I have insurance and my co-pay is $10.00 so I actually did save money because of this bill. But it still makes me think of the other girls out there who don't have insurance, what about them? Oh and another thing, my parents don't know I'm on BC and if they did they would probably flip their lids and go into cardiac arrest, so I'm curious if this will show up on my insurance or not and what will happen if they do find out. So life should become interesting if they do...

Thoughts l

Bill O'Rights · 04-30-2007, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghoastgirl1

The cost of birth control pills offered at University Health Services has skyrocketed in recent months, raising fears that women may switch to less effective methods or stop using contraception altogether. Students and health professionals are concerned this development could increase the risk of unplanned pregnancies.

I went to go refill a prescription for my BC (nuvaring) and it would have cost $36.00 for one when I was paying $15.00 per month otherwise.

You can anticipate an average hospital bill of $5,000-$10,000 for a vaginal delivery. Add at least $2,000 if you need a c-section. A newborn will go through eight to twelve diapers a day for the first few months of life. That equals from 300 to 400 diapers a month. This means you will need to set aside from $75-$125 a month just for disposable diapers. If you intend to feed your baby formula rather than breast milk, you can add another $100 a month to your budget for formula. you can expect to spend anywhere from $100 a week to more than $800 a week for the care of a newborn.

Pay the $36.00.

snowy · 04-30-2007, 09:58 AM

I go to the county health department for my birth control. My university and the county are part of a program in the state of Oregon called the Family Planning Project. All of the Planned Parenthoods, county health departments, and universities here participate, and so long as you meet income requirements (and most women do) all family planning services and birth control are free, including IUDs and some STD screening. I go in once a year and they stock me up on my method of choice--the methods vary depending on where you go (the county doesn't carry Nuvaring, for instance, only carries certain kinds of birth control pills, and only has the Copper-T IUD). I also get as many condoms as I can carry. Literally.

The State of Oregon really wised up this year regarding family planning and contraception issues: not only did they provide enough state funding for FPP to continue running for the next few years without federal aid, they passed a bill recently requiring all health insurance companies operating within the state to pay for contraception and family planning visits.

You could just go to Planned Parenthood.

Jinn · 04-30-2007, 10:31 AM

Quote:

You can anticipate an average hospital bill of $5,000-$10,000 for a vaginal delivery. Add at least $2,000 if you need a c-section. A newborn will go through eight to twelve diapers a day for the first few months of life. That equals from 300 to 400 diapers a month. This means you will need to set aside from $75-$125 a month just for disposable diapers. If you intend to feed your baby formula rather than breast milk, you can add another $100 a month to your budget for formula. you can expect to spend anywhere from $100 a week to more than $800 a week for the care of a newborn.

Are you fuckin' serious? I had no idea.

World's King · 04-30-2007, 10:39 AM

They have to pay the people that figured out just how minty to make it.

snowy · 04-30-2007, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill O'Rights

You can anticipate an average hospital bill of $5,000-$10,000 for a vaginal delivery. Add at least $2,000 if you need a c-section. A newborn will go through eight to twelve diapers a day for the first few months of life. That equals from 300 to 400 diapers a month. This means you will need to set aside from $75-$125 a month just for disposable diapers. If you intend to feed your baby formula rather than breast milk, you can add another $100 a month to your budget for formula. you can expect to spend anywhere from $100 a week to more than $800 a week for the care of a newborn.

Pay the $36.00.

Well, technically, if you show up at a hospital that takes Medicaid in labor, they have to take you, and Medicaid has to pay, provided you have no other way to pay.

I found this health care cost estimator's estimates of childbirth cost to be interesting: http://www.bcbsnc.com/apps/cost-esti...patient&sub=14

They say it will cost at least $6800 for a normal delivery without complications to almost $18500 for a cesarean with complications (at most). Having babies is definitely expensive, and birth control is obviously worth the cost.

kutulu · 04-30-2007, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill O'Rights

You can anticipate an average hospital bill of $5,000-$10,000 for a vaginal delivery. Add at least $2,000 if you need a c-section. A newborn will go through eight to twelve diapers a day for the first few months of life. That equals from 300 to 400 diapers a month. This means you will need to set aside from $75-$125 a month just for disposable diapers. If you intend to feed your baby formula rather than breast milk, you can add another $100 a month to your budget for formula. you can expect to spend anywhere from $100 a week to more than $800 a week for the care of a newborn.

Pay the $36.00.

We just had our second. My wife delivered at a birth center using a midwife. The total for the delivery and all prenatal checkups was about $2,500. Screw overpriced hospitals.

Also, instead of buying disposables, use cloth diapers. About $400 gets you set up for the kid and will cover from infant to toddler.

/point taken however, I just wanted to put that in there.

Sultana · 05-01-2007, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill O'Rights

You can anticipate an average hospital bill of $5,000-$10,000 for a vaginal delivery. Add at least $2,000 if you need a c-section. A newborn will go through eight to twelve diapers a day for the first few months of life. That equals from 300 to 400 diapers a month. This means you will need to set aside from $75-$125 a month just for disposable diapers. If you intend to feed your baby formula rather than breast milk, you can add another $100 a month to your budget for formula. you can expect to spend anywhere from $100 a week to more than $800 a week for the care of a newborn.

Pay the $36.00.

To be fair, ghoastgirl was not bitching about her increased, costs, in fact she mentioned her personal costs went down.

But yeah, I can't imagine cutting back on bc to save money. But if you don't have the money, and have to choose between non-vital meds and food and books (as I had to in college), well...
I can't believe in Americal that all birth control can't be completely funded...grrr!

Janie · 05-01-2007, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill O'Rights

You can anticipate an average hospital bill of $5,000-$10,000 for a vaginal delivery. Add at least $2,000 if you need a c-section.

Damn... America really needs public health care.

Honestly though, all throughout university, I had no problem paying for my BC. Can't recall if it was $30+ or cheaper, but when it comes down to it, that is not an outrageous price. Most university students will buy a coffee every other day let's say, many every day. That makes ten days (not counting weekends). The price of a coffee at Tim Hortons is two bucks. 2x10=20. Throw in some packets of gum, and that approaches cost for BC. Say you like expensive coffee. Well, a small or whatever they call it at Starbucks is four bucks? That makes 4x10=40. We've covered the cost of BC.

Most students do have a modest amount of cash to spend on things like coffee, or the odd clothing purchase. It is possible to cut back on those small things, and get the money to pay for BC in a pinch.

Having said that, I believe you shouldn't have to pay for medication. That industry has turned into a profit-hungry monster. This was brought up in another thread, but I think it applies here. No one wants to discover a cheap way to cure heart disease, and the same goes for BC, or any other drug that has a huge consumer base. It is outrageous to think that doctors, sworn to help those in need no matter what, are completely unwilling to set some stitches unless the patient can provide proof of medical insurance no less than three times (my brother in Seattle, who was 14 at the time).

Ok, enough derailing of the thread... BC shouldn't be so expensive, but when it comes down to it, the price is doable and is in every respect preferrable to an abortion or a pregnancy down the line for a university student.

relenawolf · 05-01-2007, 03:32 PM

Our university health center found itself in this pinch earlier this year because the student health plan didn't cover BC and the generics of popular drugs (like OrthoTriCyclen) were around $20. The drug companies are really invested in having name brand loyalty, though, so if I switched to Lo, I could get that for $9 if I bought 3 months+. I would have rather not switched brands, but it was worth it on a TA's salary. If I had really wanted to keep taking a full hormone triphasic, though, planned parenthood probably could have reduced the costs to somewhere under $20, but possibly not as low as $9.

analog · 05-01-2007, 11:59 PM

Costs aren't going up, they just aren't getting a discount anymore. Big difference.

EDIT: Not that I can't identify with the poor college student thing, or that I want college chicks to be without birth control... I'm just saying there's a huge difference between an actual price increase, and the revocation of a rather large discount.

kylere · 05-02-2007, 08:33 AM

45 bucks a month is nothing in terms of cost, the college student that could not cut back on lattes, pizzas or booze on week a month and pay for this is very rare.

If sex is not worth $45 a month to you, then you should not be allowed to have it, or you are doing it wrong.

alkaloid · 05-02-2007, 01:14 PM

The story has that familiar feel of fake, exaggerated alarm you often see in less professional publications. Besides, this is Princeton, not some junior college. I really wouldn't worry about it.

smooth · 05-02-2007, 06:58 PM

My wife goes to planned parenthood for her BC.
She just switched to NuvaRing, and I'm pretty sure it was free for her.
If not, it was really inexpensive.

ASU2003 · 05-02-2007, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill O'Rights

Pay the $36.00.

That is a great line.

What is more shocking is that ghoastgirl's parents would be disapproving of her being on BC. Maybe you are just on it to schedule cycles, reduce cramps, reduce acne, or some other non-sexual reason. And, the idea that she predicts they wouldn't like is that their daughter is having sex with some guy and needs to be on BC.

Hanxter · 05-05-2007, 09:51 AM

the average kid will go thru 7500 diapers before they're fully potty trained...

and gas just hit $3.07 a gallon here

tenniels · 05-05-2007, 11:22 PM

I live in Canada and have prescription coverage through my work. I would probably pay any amount though to keep myself from being "with child", whether it be condoms or a prescribed birth control. Kids cost more than any birth control could. I think it's an excuse for stupid people. I do think birth control should be affordable and available to everyone though.

Bill O'Rights · 05-07-2007, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASU2003

What is more shocking is that ghoastgirl's parents would be disapproving of her being on BC.

Not shocking. Hell, it's even predictable. Remember, these are the same parents that were so proud of a little 2 year old ghoastgirl1 the first time that she went down the slide all by herself. In their eyes...that was not so very long ago. To approve of her being on birth control, is to admit that their little baby girl...isn't anymore.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASU2003

Maybe you are just on it to schedule cycles, reduce cramps, reduce acne, or some other non-sexual reason.

Yeah...my daughter tried the same schpiel on me.

What'm I? Stupid?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASU2003

And, the idea that she predicts they wouldn't like is that their daughter is having sex with some guy and needs to be on BC.

What they like, and what is reality are two entirely different things. It's not easy for parents to let go. It's human nature to want to keep the training wheels on..."for just a little longer".

Ourcrazymodern? · 05-07-2007, 05:25 PM

The cost of contraception pales compared to the cost of reproducing.
The cost of reproduction pales compared to not doing it.
(tic) Where else will we come from?

blahblah454 · 05-08-2007, 06:01 AM

I agree with what Janie had to say. I am currently a poor college student and I hang out with other poor college students. I see them drinking coffee all day and smoking every chance they get. They spend well over $200 (Canadian) a month on their junk food, smokes, and drinks. I am sure they will have no problem cutting $30 a month out of that.

I hate it when I hear people bitching about not having money for stuff like that while they are drinking their coffee and smoking their cigarettes, at least I know whats important to them in life.

This is not to say everyone does this, just a good portion

04-30-2007, 08:53 AM	#1 (permalink)
surferlove007 Junkie	Birth Control Prices fly through the roof at Universities across the US "UHS hikes birth control prices By Victoria Whitford Princetonian Staff Writer The cost of birth control pills offered at University Health Services has skyrocketed in recent months, raising fears that women may switch to less effective methods or stop using contraception altogether. Students and health professionals are concerned this development could increase the risk of unplanned pregnancies. Due to changes in federal legislation, Princeton no longer qualifies for reduced pricing for contraceptive pills and injections, the University announced this week. Prices have climbed from a $6 monthly flat rate to as much as $45 for some brand-name drugs, which students will have to buy from pharmacies. "As the price goes up, women will make decisions about using expensive birth control or relying on other methods such as condoms, which may not be as reliable," said Dr. Peter Johnsen of University Health Services (UHS). "This involves tough choices for some women." "We're all upset about this legislation," UHS coordinator of women's and men's health Olga Hernandez added. "We're worried that women will stop using birth control." Several students said they were concerned at the rising prices. "I think the cost is an issue. I'm a broke college kid and every penny is put to use," one senior said. Several women interviewed for this article were granted anonymity in order to protect their medical privacy. Arielle Lutwick GS, who worked at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Chicago before coming to Princeton, said UHS informed her several months ago during a regular visit to the clinic that her preferred contraceptive method, the popular NuvaRing, would no longer be available there. "Students don't have a lot of money, and the number of months I have to pay for this before I get new health insurance will be a strain on my budget," she said. UHS officials added they are trying to cushion the price hikes for students. "If they have insurance we will work with them to get the best price possible," Hernandez said. UHS ordered a stock of brand-name drugs soon after learning of the upcoming change, and some students took advantage of this by buying multiple packs of pills at the lower price. Once those supplies run out, the University will only offer generic contraceptives, at a price of $15-$25 a month. But generic drugs may not suit everyone, and switching drugs can cause unpleasant side effects. Students who want to remain with a preferred brand will have to obtain a prescription from UHS. The University's student health insurance policy specifically excludes contraception, so if women are not covered by their parents' health plans, they must pay full price at the pharmacy. Costs can range from $27 a month for oral contraceptives like Desogen and Lo-Ovral to as high as $45 a month for NuvaRing. UHS also offers the three-shot human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for $402. Some insurance companies cover the cost of the vaccine, though the Student Health Plan does not. But some students are reluctant to admit to their parents that they are sexually active in order to benefit from family insurance policies. "I first started using birth control when I came to college. I did it without telling my parents. There was a huge fallout when they found out about it," a senior said. "In a lot of families, this isn't something you can discuss." Legal wrangle The soaring cost of contraception is due to a complex provision in the Federal Deficit Reduction Act, a law passed in 2005 which came into effect in January of this year. The legislation requires drug companies to offer providers of Medicaid and other safety-net healthcare services the lowest price possible for prescription drugs. For years, pharmaceutical companies have offered steep discounts to student health centers for contraceptive pills in order to build brand loyalty among young women and reap future profits. But under the terms of the act, the drug companies would have to offer Medicaid providers the same deal, so they have hiked the price for university clinics. Reproductive health experts said legislators did not appear to have understood the repercussions. "Even the Bush Administration is not that Machiavellian. It's an unintended consequence," said James Trussel, a reproductive health expert who is also director of Princeton's Office of Population Research. Some students were not so sure. "I was a little bit surprised and disappointed. This seems to be catering towards a certain morality-based view of what should be a medical issue," one undergraduate said. The American College Health Association has been campaigning for university health centers to be exempted from the Federal Deficit Reduction Act along with family planning clinics. According to Congressional Quarterly, a provision to do just this was added last month to the proposed Iraq Supplemental Bill, which allocates funds for the war in Iraq. But the provision was removed, apparently due to complaints from antiabortion groups and from Congressmen opposed to pork-barrel amendments. A spokesman for Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.), who chairs the Defense Appropriations Committee, did not return requests for comment. The costs of unintended pregnancy Medics urged students to continue using birth control despite the rising prices. "The obvious equation is that if you're sexually active and not using birth control, you run the risk of becoming pregnant," Johnsen said. According to a 2006 survey by the American College Health Association, about 38 percent of female undergraduates use oral contraceptives, eight percent have taken emergency contraception, commonly known as the morning-after pill, and 1.5 percent get pregnant unintentionally. One percent of women also said that unplanned pregnancy led to problems with their academic work. UHS officials would not say how many Princeton women use contraceptives or have become unintentionally pregnant. Sara Viola '08, of Princeton Pro-Choice Vox, said she felt the University should include contraception in its health insurance plan. "My understanding is their hands are tied [with this legislation], but I think they have a responsibility to fix the problem," she said. "We're preparing for careers and grad school and the last thing we should have to worry about is unintended pregnancy." Recent research estimates the direct medical costs of unintended pregnancies in the United States at $5 billion a year, whereas direct medical cost savings due to contraceptive use amount to $19 billion a year, Trussel said in an email. "Both Medicaid and the private health insurance industry are likely to spend significantly more for unintended pregnancies than they would have spent on contraceptive coverage," he said. "From a policy perspective, I think it's outrageous," Lutwick said. "The cost of unintended pregnancy and abortion far outweighs the cost of contraception, so the idea that this [legislation] is really going to do much the fix the federal deficit is laughable." Courtesy of: http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/arc...ws/17978.shtml I must say that totally sucks. I went to go refill a prescription for my BC (nuvaring) and it would have cost $36.00 for one when I was paying $15.00 per month otherwise. Fortunately for me I have insurance and my co-pay is $10.00 so I actually did save money because of this bill. But it still makes me think of the other girls out there who don't have insurance, what about them? Oh and another thing, my parents don't know I'm on BC and if they did they would probably flip their lids and go into cardiac arrest, so I'm curious if this will show up on my insurance or not and what will happen if they do find out. So life should become interesting if they do... Thoughts l

04-30-2007, 09:58 AM	#3 (permalink)
snowy Kick Ass Kunoichi Location: Oregon	I go to the county health department for my birth control. My university and the county are part of a program in the state of Oregon called the Family Planning Project. All of the Planned Parenthoods, county health departments, and universities here participate, and so long as you meet income requirements (and most women do) all family planning services and birth control are free, including IUDs and some STD screening. I go in once a year and they stock me up on my method of choice--the methods vary depending on where you go (the county doesn't carry Nuvaring, for instance, only carries certain kinds of birth control pills, and only has the Copper-T IUD). I also get as many condoms as I can carry. Literally. The State of Oregon really wised up this year regarding family planning and contraception issues: not only did they provide enough state funding for FPP to continue running for the next few years without federal aid, they passed a bill recently requiring all health insurance companies operating within the state to pay for contraception and family planning visits. You could just go to Planned Parenthood. __________________ If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

04-30-2007, 10:39 AM	#5 (permalink)
World's King Here Location: Denver City Denver	They have to pay the people that figured out just how minty to make it. __________________ heavy is the head that wears the crown

05-01-2007, 11:59 PM	#11 (permalink)
analog Banned	Costs aren't going up, they just aren't getting a discount anymore. Big difference. EDIT: Not that I can't identify with the poor college student thing, or that I want college chicks to be without birth control... I'm just saying there's a huge difference between an actual price increase, and the revocation of a rather large discount. Last edited by analog; 05-02-2007 at 03:12 AM..

05-02-2007, 06:58 PM	#14 (permalink)
smooth Junkie Location: Right here	My wife goes to planned parenthood for her BC. She just switched to NuvaRing, and I'm pretty sure it was free for her. If not, it was really inexpensive. __________________ "The theory of a free press is that truth will emerge from free discussion, not that it will be presented perfectly and instantly in any one account." -- Walter Lippmann "You measure democracy by the freedom it gives its dissidents, not the freedom it gives its assimilated conformists." -- Abbie Hoffman

05-01-2007, 03:32 PM	#10 (permalink)
relenawolf Upright	Our university health center found itself in this pinch earlier this year because the student health plan didn't cover BC and the generics of popular drugs (like OrthoTriCyclen) were around $20. The drug companies are really invested in having name brand loyalty, though, so if I switched to Lo, I could get that for $9 if I bought 3 months+. I would have rather not switched brands, but it was worth it on a TA's salary. If I had really wanted to keep taking a full hormone triphasic, though, planned parenthood probably could have reduced the costs to somewhere under $20, but possibly not as low as $9.

05-02-2007, 08:33 AM	#12 (permalink)
kylere Upright Location: 3rd Most Dangerous!	45 bucks a month is nothing in terms of cost, the college student that could not cut back on lattes, pizzas or booze on week a month and pay for this is very rare. If sex is not worth $45 a month to you, then you should not be allowed to have it, or you are doing it wrong.

05-02-2007, 01:14 PM	#13 (permalink)
alkaloid Dead Inside Location: East Coast, USA	The story has that familiar feel of fake, exaggerated alarm you often see in less professional publications. Besides, this is Princeton, not some junior college. I really wouldn't worry about it.

05-05-2007, 09:51 AM	#16 (permalink)
Hanxter The Griffin	the average kid will go thru 7500 diapers before they're fully potty trained... and gas just hit $3.07 a gallon here

05-05-2007, 11:22 PM	#17 (permalink)
tenniels Insane Location: Oh Canada!!	I live in Canada and have prescription coverage through my work. I would probably pay any amount though to keep myself from being "with child", whether it be condoms or a prescribed birth control. Kids cost more than any birth control could. I think it's an excuse for stupid people. I do think birth control should be affordable and available to everyone though. __________________ I like things. And stuff. But I prefer to have things over stuff.

05-07-2007, 05:25 PM	#19 (permalink)
Ourcrazymodern? still, wondering. Location: South Minneapolis, somewhere near the gorgeous gorge	The cost of contraception pales compared to the cost of reproducing. The cost of reproduction pales compared to not doing it. (tic) Where else will we come from? __________________ BE JUST AND FEAR NOT

05-08-2007, 06:01 AM	#20 (permalink)
blahblah454 Let's put a smile on that face Location: On the road...	I agree with what Janie had to say. I am currently a poor college student and I hang out with other poor college students. I see them drinking coffee all day and smoking every chance they get. They spend well over $200 (Canadian) a month on their junk food, smokes, and drinks. I am sure they will have no problem cutting $30 a month out of that. I hate it when I hear people bitching about not having money for stuff like that while they are drinking their coffee and smoking their cigarettes, at least I know whats important to them in life. This is not to say everyone does this, just a good portion