On July 27, 2017, Kelly La published an article called Contraceptive Controversy. She supported the government eliminating contraceptives as covered by health insurance for women. She justified this termination by arguing that contraceptives should be paid by the users themselves, rather than covering it through health insurance, which makes this form of protection inexpensive or even free. She implied that everyone was paying more in taxes due to these free contraceptives. In addition, she mentioned that sex is a choice made by the individual him or herself, and the individual must be held responsible for the consequences thereafter.
These are valid arguments, however, I believe that contraceptives should remain under health insurance for women. Contraception means lower rates of abortion and lower costs to taxpayers. According to the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Nearly half of the more than 6 million pregnancies that occur each year are unintended, and about 43% of them end in abortion. Further, about 1 million births are unintended, costing U.S. taxpayers about $11 billion a year in associated expenses.” While it may not seem like it upfront, making contraceptives readily available and cost-free actually lowers costs for “everyone paying for it in their taxes” because there will be fewer accidental pregnancies and births.
In addition, there are health benefits to birth control. According to the Health and Human Services, birth control can reduce the risk of cancer in women and regularly treats conditions like endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, uterine fibroids, and heavy menstrual bleeding. Women are given power through contraceptives: the power to control their lives as they please.
Conservatives today call for “fewer abortions and more self-sufficient citizens.” Their core beliefs don’t align with their actions, and it’s mainly because they want to tell women what to do.
Conservatives like Rick Santorum believe contraceptives allow people to have sex without being punished for it. People make mistakes, and rather than punishing them for it, the government should be aiding them in getting back up and not making the same error again.
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