http://www.msnbc.com/...
In this article we find the radical rights newest attempt to deceive Women into believing the GOP is their friend.
At first glance this may all seem very reasonable. However, it is full of problems for Women.
Who actually believes that offering oral contraceptives over the counter without a Doctor's advice and prescription is a good idea? Lets take a look at how great this idea is by asking these questions:
1. Oral contraceptives are hormones. Are these people not aware that these hormones have side effects? Do they not understand that some Women are much more susceptible to the side effects which can include strokes and cancer? With no medical examination and history, how are they to know if they might be at high risk for these problems? Are they seriously suggesting that an employer's religious objection, allowing group health policies to cover these medications with no co-pay, is more important than the lives of Women? These same employers invest in companies that make these very drugs they are objecting to. Do they not understand that Women need to be tested annually to watch for serious side effects of these drugs or other health issues that might need to be taken into account when prescribing these drugs? issues?
2. Oral contraceptives are the least expensive form of birth control after condoms. They are often used for other problems and if used incorrectly can actually cause death. Insurance companies save millions a year in preventable pregnancies and diseases by covering 100% of the cost of these drugs. The fact is they have been providing this coverage for many with a small co-pay for a long time for some of the most vocal opponents of the ACA provision. Has it somehow become more egregious to these religious employers than it was in the past when they were quietly providing this benefit?
3. Do they not understand that many types of contraception must be administered by a Physician and could not be purchased over the counter as a "do it yourself" measure? They are already causing "do it yourself" abortions for desperate Women and this isn't much different. Both circumstances lead to Women dying.
4. What good is their bill if Women don't have a medical savings account, which we all know are becoming a thing of the past?.
5. Are they not aware that by allowing Women to purchase contraceptives over the counter the incidence of uterine, ovarian, cervical and breast cancer will go up due to a lack of testing and early detection? Many prescriptions for contraceptives are issued in conjunction with these routine screenings. Are they seriously willing to take this risk over religious objections by employers?
6. Are they completely oblivious to the fact that many Women who already pay for a portion of their health insurance through work will now have to pay even more out of pocket to purchase contraception, if it becomes available over the counter without a prescription? Over the counter drugs are never covered by health insurance so all Women who use contraception will pay more.
It is a fact that oral contraceptives are powerful drugs. They have the ability to do serious damage to Women if not properly prescribed. They are not a one size fits all medication. I believe the statement that Gynecologists advocate for this is a fallacy. What they and Planned Parenthood advocate for is less expensive contraception to prevent unwanted pregnancies. It doesn't necessarily follow that by making it over the counter it becomes less expensive. In reality this bill isn't about protecting Women at all. It's about protecting the so called rights of religious employers at the risk of Women's health. Think about this, you might be in agreement for your 16 year old daughter to take birth control medications but do you seriously believe she should be choosing the type and the dosage on her own without a Doctor's care? Is any Woman who is not a trained health care provider, regardless of age or circumstance, qualified to make those decisions without a Doctor's advice?
Having a sister who suffered from a stroke at age 30, apparently from her birth control medications and having had uterine cancer myself, I am appalled at the idea of over the counter birth control medications for anyone. The ACA provides the perfect solution for the cost of these medications for the majority of Women. In case these 2 Senators haven't noticed, the Supreme Court made a terrible decision about employer provided insurance exemptions and they are now trying to double down on that mistake. This would be a terrible mistake and the cost will be more dead Women who die from preventable causes. The reason, so religious employers can feel good about themselves? That is too high a price to pay for the death of our sisters.
Wed May 27, 2015 at 5:49 PM PT: http://www.msnbc.com/...
Maybe this will work. Sorry, this was my first time posting a Diary and I guess I did something wrong. Not exactly how I planned my first Diary to be, but I was angry when I read that article I felt I had to say something. I simply cannot believe that anyone in their right mind thinks over the counter birth control pills is a good idea.