Spring Break
Congress increases birth control prices
By: Marisa McStravick
Issue date: 4/27/07 Section: News
Originally published: 4/27/07 at 3:54 AM EST
Last update: 4/27/07 at 3:54 AM EST
Originally published: 4/27/07 at 3:54 AM EST
Last update: 4/27/07 at 3:54 AM EST
Mary Hoban, director of American College Health Association and National College Health Association, said that women rely on birth control for various reasons and the increase in prices will have a great impact on students.
"Students needing birth control will either have to pay more or switch methods to a generic brand," she said.
Students who wish to switch to a generic brand may encounter problems. Hoban gave the example of the NuvaRing, which is not a pill but an internal contraceptive, and does not have a generic brand available. Individuals using this would have to switch back to pill form contraceptives which may not be as effective a method for the individual as the ring.
Whether students decide to pay more or switch methods, the ACHA is concerned about the possible resulting factors of the price increase, such as a surge in pregnancy rates. The ACHA is urging CMS to restore drug discounts to student health centers.
"Compare the cost of birth control to the cost of raising a baby - it's a no brainer," said Rideout.
The rise in the price of birth control may cause students to seek less expensive options which unfortunately may be a less effective form of protection. According to Rideout the possible consequences of not paying more or switching methods isn't worth the price increase.
"We haven't given up yet, but we aren't sure how hopeful to be," said Hoban who has been working on retracting the act for the past four months.
"This is an up and down issue and the outcome is hard to predict," she said.
"Students needing birth control will either have to pay more or switch methods to a generic brand," she said.
Students who wish to switch to a generic brand may encounter problems. Hoban gave the example of the NuvaRing, which is not a pill but an internal contraceptive, and does not have a generic brand available. Individuals using this would have to switch back to pill form contraceptives which may not be as effective a method for the individual as the ring.
Whether students decide to pay more or switch methods, the ACHA is concerned about the possible resulting factors of the price increase, such as a surge in pregnancy rates. The ACHA is urging CMS to restore drug discounts to student health centers.
"Compare the cost of birth control to the cost of raising a baby - it's a no brainer," said Rideout.
The rise in the price of birth control may cause students to seek less expensive options which unfortunately may be a less effective form of protection. According to Rideout the possible consequences of not paying more or switching methods isn't worth the price increase.
"We haven't given up yet, but we aren't sure how hopeful to be," said Hoban who has been working on retracting the act for the past four months.
"This is an up and down issue and the outcome is hard to predict," she said.
