​Schweiger 1

Leigha Schweiger

McLaughlin

English 12

16 September 2020

Free birth Control is Beneficial to Many People

Birth control can help regulate a woman's period. It also is a prevention tool to help

people from becoming pregnant because birth control is 99.9 % effective (“NHS”). There are

many different forms of birth control, such as the pill or the IUD. Birth control can also be just

using a condom anytime a person engages in sex. Without these forms of protection the chance

for STD or unwanted pregnancies is high. It is often unaffordable or unobtainable for many

people, particularly teens and minorities. Making birth control available over the counter would

make it more accessible and more private. Most importantly, free birth control is beneficial for

so many reasons including poor people, to decrease unwanted pregnancies and to improve

reproductive health.

The Talmud OKs the use of contraceptive sponges. The ancient Jewish text recommends

using a sponge​ soaked in vinegar to block semen in a few select cases: if a girl is too young to

bear children, or if a woman is already pregnant or nursing. The idea of an IUD may have come

from a camel. ​In the 1950s, Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Gregory Pincus and

John Rock created the first birth control pills. ​Birth control was not legal for everyone until 1972.

The pills did not become widely available until the 1960s.
 ​Schweiger 2

With modern birth control it has advanced the different types that can be used. Such as an

IUD can rip the sperms head off. It has yet to be designed by a woman. A ring and the patch

have to be seen as easier than the pill. With all these new and improved forms they are

prescribed by a doctor for women. The doctor that prescribes it to you will have follow-ups to

make sure the medicine works and no bad side effects. Most insurances cover the costs of the

medicine. It prevents unwanted pregnancies and it can reduce the number of abortions.

If contraceptives were over the counter, it would be more convenient and accessible for

many women. “One study from the University of California San Francisco estimates that making

birth control available over the counter could lead to decrease in unplanned pregnancies as great

as 25 percent”(Manning). A study done by The American Congress of Obstetricians and

Gynecologists shows that women can do their own self-screening for contraindications for

over-the-counter birth control. Furthermore, nearly two-thirds according to 2013 poll women

favor over the counter.

Men and women are more concerned about the economy, unemployment/jobs, and not as

much about abortions. “Women seeking abortions 72% said they were pregnant because they

could not get the contraception they needed, and 32% reported an institutional reason such as the

prescription requirement.”(​“OTC Birth Control Pills.”​) The direct costs of unintended youth

pregnancies probably exceeded $125 million a year. Estimated $157 million cost for a program

for free contraceptives compared to the $320 million used on unintended pregnancies

(​“Contraception Should Be Free for Everyone Under 25, Pediatric Society Says.”​). Taking the

pill correctly protects from pregnancy all day, everyday. If the pill were more affordable and

more-readily available ,unwanted pregnancies would decrease.

 ​Schweiger 3

Women who lack the insurance coverage get hurt by having to buy birth control, through

insurance payments, fewer women are price-conscious when using insurance, than direct pay

shoppers, so drug sellers have less resistance. Even though the cost is $10 to $15 for the pill or

$8 for condoms, this is still sometimes a challenge, especially if parents are angered if asked to

cover the cost. 10% of youth did not get the contraception they wanted or had to stop the use

because it cost too much (​“Offer Free Birth Control for Under 25s, Canadian Paediatric Society

Says.”​). “Last year, the society recommended long acting reversible contraceptives such as

IUDs as the most effective form of contraception. The up-front costs can be $300.”(​“Offer Free

Birth Control for Under 25s, Canadian Paediatric Society Says.”​). There was a case where they

wanted to get rid of covering the cost. “Judge Beltlestone said the final rule was likely to have

harsh consequences: numerous citizens losing contraceptive coverage, resulting in significant,

direct and proprietary harm to the states in the form of increased use of state-funded

contraceptive services, as well as increased costs associated with unintended pregnancies.”

(Pear).Women who lose the cost-free contraceptives are less likely to use an effective method or

any.

Some argue that OTC birth control is dangerous because women need exams. What

patients do not tell the doctors from a study says, “The FDA notes the side effects of the pill

include changes in sexual desire, bleeding between periods, sore breast, headaches, and nausea.”

(​“OTC Birth Control Pills.”​). Only 27% contact their doctors with questions when using OTC

drugs. When there is a prescription, the doctors are able to keep up with exams. Teens are not as

responsible for doing their scanning if over the counter, not private, etc. OTC birth control pills

would decrease birth control choice and access. IUDs would not be available over the counter.
 ​Schweiger 4

“Purchases would be public and subject to the judgement and gossip of anyone in sight.” (​“OTC

Birth Control Pills.”​).

Even though free birth control would be costly to businesses, it is a much smaller cost

that is worth paying than having the additional abortion costs because it was not free for some of

the people. Making it free and over the counter would allow people to get it more conveniently

for them and allow them to access anytime throughout the day rather than having an appointment

and may be losing time at work to do so. There is less abortion when women are able to access

and have free contraceptions to them to use. Teens would be able to get medicine without parents

preventing them while preventing teen pregnancies. People who can not afford contraceptives

are more than likely to have an unwanted pregnancy. And have even more cost if they decide to

have an abortion or to keep the baby. What needs to happen is birth control should be free all

across the world. It would have much less of a cost to pay the cost for women to have free birth

control rather than to pay for, abortions, or the costs of parenthood support. It is important to

promote reproductive health and starting with free, over-the-counter contraception is a great start

in this process.
 ​Schweiger 5

Works Cited

Baklinski, Peter. “Birth Control Leads to More Abortions.” ​Birth Control,​ edited

by Jack Lasky, Greenhaven Press, 2016. ​Opposing Viewpoints.​ ​ Gale In Context:

Opposing Viewpoints, ​https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ3010568283/OVIC?

u=pl2127&sid=OVIC&xid=95ca196c. Accessed 1 Sept. 2020. Originally published

as “Why the Fight Against Abortion Begins with Contraception,” ​lifesitenews.com,​ 23 Apr.

2013.

“Contraception Should Be Free for Everyone Under 25, Pediatric Society Says.” ​Globe & Mail

[Toronto, Canada], 10 May 2019, p. A9. ​Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints,​

https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A584977476/OVIC?u=pl2127&sid=OVIC&xid=e06a0890.

Accessed 6 Sept. 2020.

Clyne, Meghan. “The Democratic Party's Policies Threaten Women's Health and Personal

Freedom.” ​Women's Health,​ edited by Lynn M. Zott, Greenhaven Press, 2015. Opposing

Viewpoints. ​Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints​, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/

EJ3010922207/OVIC?u=pl2127&sid=OVIC&xid=9035b177. Accessed 6 Sept. 2020.

Originally published as “Can This Be What Women Want?” ​The Weekly Standard,​ vol. 17,

no.

48, 10 Sept. 2012.

“Making Birth Control Better and Safer for Women.” ​Womenshealth.gov​, Office on Women's
 ​Schweiger 6

Health in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health

and Human Services., 1 Apr. 2019, www.womenshealth.gov/30-achievements/16.

Accessed 8 Sept. 2020.

Manning, Modley Health. “Birth-Control PIlls Should Be Available Over the Counter”. ​Gale

​ ale, 2020, ​Gale in Context: Opposing Viewpoints,

Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection, G

​www​.link.gale.com/apps/doc/HMIONI704818893/OVIC?u=pl12127&sid=OVIC&xid=

df68afb4. Accessed 8 Sept. 2020.

“NHS.” ​How effective is contraception at preventing pregnancy?,​ Crown, 17 April 2020,

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/how-effective-contraception/#:~:text=than

%2099%25%20effective.-,Fewer%20than%201%20in%20100%20women%20will%20g

et%20pregnant%20in,get%20pregnant%20in%20a%20year. Accessed 15 December

2020.

Taylor, Jamila. “The Trump Administration Is Restricting Women’s Access to Preventive and

Reproductive Care.” Gale Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection, Gale, 2020. ​Gale In

Context: Opposing Viewpoints,​ www.link.gale.com/apps/doc/MLINUT453721733/

OVIC?u=pl2127&sid=OVIC&xid=50b02e75. Accessed 1 Sept. 2020. Originally

published as “How President Trump’s Policy Agenda Hurts Mothers,” Center for American

Progress, 12 May 2017.

“Offer Free Birth Control for Under 25s, Canadian Paediatric Society Says.” ​The Canadian

Broadcasting Corporation,​ 9 May 2019. ​Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints,​

www.link.gale.com/apps/doc/A584827717/OVIC?u=pl2127&sid=OVIC&xid=f6fe3e61.

Accessed 6 Sept. 2020.

 ​Schweiger 7

Pear, Robert. “Court Blocks Attempt to Restrict Access to Birth Control”. ​New York Times, 1​ 5

Jan. 2019, ​Gale in Context: Opposing Viewpoints,

www.link.gale.com/apps/doc/A569569044/OVIC?u=pl12127&sid=OVIC&xid=39elcab7.

Accessed 8 Sept. 2020.

“OTC Birth Control Pills.” ​ProCon.org.​ 15 Nov. 2018,

www.birth-control.procon.org/. Accessed 9 Sept. 2020.

Parenthood, Planned. “What Are the Benefits & Advantages of Birth Control Pills?” ​Planned

Parenthood,​ Planned Parenthood Federation of America Inc., 2020,

www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/birth-control-pill/what-are-the-benefits-of-the

-birth-control-pill. Accessed 8 Sept. 2020.