tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730657139931062421.post8327395070810648569..comments2023-05-14T03:03:09.451-05:00Comments on Female Impersonator: Birth Control Costs from a Birth Control UserAmeliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10884754298018500343noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730657139931062421.post-5135698524493587282008-04-25T17:22:00.000-05:002008-04-25T17:22:00.000-05:00Thank you so much for linking to my blog. This is...Thank you so much for linking to my blog. This is obviously a huge issue for women, yet it doesn't seem to be talked about much.<BR/><BR/>Thanks so much for the link! I started to respond to each of the comments, but... I gave up after a couple! <BR/><BR/>But here's a couple notes to defend myself: <BR/>I do not currently charge my bf because he is a student and makes far less than I do<BR/>I'm simply not comfortable with condoms only. 97% is "perfect use" (which i think includes spermicide?), what is the stat for actual use?<BR/>Free clinics/planned parenthood: I probably make too much to be eligible. I'm not poor, i just think the expense is unjustifiably high.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730657139931062421.post-65988015716253618702008-04-23T13:05:00.000-05:002008-04-23T13:05:00.000-05:00And why don't you consider the fact that birth con...<I>And why don't you consider the fact that birth control is not the only expensive prescription? </I><BR/><BR/>BECAUSE THIS IS A POST ABOUT BIRTH CONTROL. That's why I'm concerned about the price of birth control. Amelia makes lots of very good points about other medications and diseases in relation to birth control. She covered so many good reasons why medication costs should be reasonable for everyone - even people who use birth control.<BR/><BR/><I>And where does this moral and social responsibility come from? This is a serious question, If we, as a society have become irreligious, that can't be the source. I am going to say that the only thing I am bound to do in America is follow the law of the land, and that law says absolutely nothing about the level of profit you are allowed to make, or if you have to give anything away.</I><BR/><BR/>I wouldn't say society is irreligious - if anything, the public sphere has become increasingly religious in the past twenty years from the Religious Right injecting their idea of religion into public discourse in an attempt to regulate society based on their morals.<BR/><BR/>Moral and social responsibility comes from the fact that we are a community - the communities we make up locally, nationally, globally. I don't know if you know this, but we are in life together. How about the Golden rule? Treat others the way you want to be treated. Don't subscribe to judeo-christian belief? How about Kant's categorical imperative - "Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law."<BR/><BR/>We are people in a world, and hiding your lack of respect for humanity behind the giant face of a corporation is shameful.lindsayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13285797515594923013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730657139931062421.post-16988988778183491042008-04-23T10:20:00.000-05:002008-04-23T10:20:00.000-05:00The point Goose was making was that the cost of bi...The point Goose was making was that the cost of birth control is as high as it is because the people have been willing to pay that cost. If more people really couldn't afford it, they wouldn't buy it, and prices would be reduced in order to get more people to buy it. Birth control manufacturers have no reason to believe that they're pricing it too high, because sales are good. Take an economics class before you start speculating about the reasoning for prices being what they are.<BR/><BR/>You've just listed a bunch of other meds that are also expensive, but their prices never go down. There are plenty of elderly people who have to decide between food and meds, and the prices don't go down. When the companies manufacture items that are necessary for the maintenance of health and the prevention of disease, why would it follow market forces? I've seen even heartburn medication get so expensive that my insurance won't cover it--but does the price go down? No, it doesn't. Someone, somewhere has to buy it, and the companies know this. It's not a choice of not buying it and waiting them out, they're necessities and someone has to--at least until they come out with the generic (and I've seen them block that too).OutcrazyOpheliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01962033787590226582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730657139931062421.post-75032088510934851892008-04-23T10:18:00.000-05:002008-04-23T10:18:00.000-05:00Anti depressants, heart medication, arthritis medi...<I>Anti depressants, heart medication, arthritis medication...those are all much more expensive than birth control. Why don't you complain about the costs of those? Oh, because it doesn't affect you? Stop being so self-centered. More people are affected by the high costs of these other medicines than are affected by the high costs of birth control. Just because you are feminists looking out for the good of women doesn't mean you should ignore the problems that other groups of people have.</I><BR/><BR/>Hello, Frustrated, my name is Amelia. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 7 years ago, and I am a feminist who thinks that the price of birth control should be kept low.<BR/><BR/>My medical costs, even with insurance, can costs hundreds of dollars every month, and will cost that much for the rest of my life. I think that's wrong. I need these medications to live, but right now I am under my stepfather's insurance, and it is costing a lot of money. <BR/><BR/>As someone who has to deal with expense, necessary medical costs, I still feel that the price of birth control should be kept low because there are people like me who would say that taking care of their disease <I>and</I> sex are parts of their lives. So why should we ignore the costs of something that many people consider a part of their life?<BR/><BR/>And how do you come off saying that any of us are advocating for special treatment? Low birth control costs would help women, but they would also help men. They would also help the poor, and other racial/ethnic minorities who are often discriminated against and do not have the same job opportunities as white people.<BR/><BR/>How is that asking for special treatment?Ameliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10884754298018500343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730657139931062421.post-56571706342189496782008-04-23T09:47:00.000-05:002008-04-23T09:47:00.000-05:00They have every social and moral responsibility th...<I>They have every social and moral responsibility that individual people do. Just because they're hiding behind a logo doesn't mean corporations are excused from being an active, positive part of our world.</I><BR/><BR/>And where does this moral and social responsibility come from? This is a serious question, If we, as a society have become irreligious, that can't be the source. I am going to say that the only thing I am bound to do in America is follow the law of the land, and that law says absolutely nothing about the level of profit you are allowed to make, or if you have to give anything away.Goosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05425919642933133023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730657139931062421.post-62742887367362089152008-04-23T09:39:00.000-05:002008-04-23T09:39:00.000-05:00The point Goose was making was that the cost of bi...The point Goose was making was that the cost of birth control is as high as it is because the people have been willing to pay that cost. If more people really couldn't afford it, they wouldn't buy it, and prices would be reduced in order to get more people to buy it. Birth control manufacturers have no reason to believe that they're pricing it too high, because sales are good. Take an economics class before you start speculating about the reasoning for prices being what they are.<BR/><BR/>And even $25 per month if not split with a significant other is not that much money. If you're so poor that you can't afford that, maybe you should spend more time trying to find a better job than complaining about birth control costs.<BR/><BR/>And why don't you consider the fact that birth control is not the only expensive prescription? In fact, compared to many other vital prescriptions, it is much cheaper. Anti depressants, heart medication, arthritis medication...those are all much more expensive than birth control. Why don't you complain about the costs of those? Oh, because it doesn't affect you? Stop being so self-centered. More people are affected by the high costs of these other medicines than are affected by the high costs of birth control. Just because you are feminists looking out for the good of women doesn't mean you should ignore the problems that other groups of people have. You wonder why so many people are annoyed by feminists such as yourself? It's because you want special treatment instead of equal treatment. We women deserve equal treatment. We have no right to demand special treatment such as the reduction in price of birth control.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730657139931062421.post-31184691649657666922008-04-23T08:35:00.000-05:002008-04-23T08:35:00.000-05:00Lindsey, what social and moral responsibility do c...<I>Lindsey, what social and moral responsibility do corporations have? The sole purpose of a business is to make a profit, thats what keeps economies going. Anything else is just philanthropy and charity.<BR/></I><BR/>They have <I>every</I> social and moral responsibility that individual people do. Just because they're hiding behind a logo doesn't mean corporations are excused from being an active, positive part of our world. I recognize the right to make profits, but when you're making profits by jacking up the prices of something that keeps women from having unwanted pregnancies and abortions, it's not responsible to society.<BR/><BR/><I>But honestly, if the pill costs $300 per year and you split the cost with your boyfriend, that's only $12.50 a month. I think you are really exaggerating the impact the cost of birth control will have on people.</I><BR/>You're assuming everyone is lucky enough to have a partner that will share in costs.lindsayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13285797515594923013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730657139931062421.post-59901120665227738172008-04-23T00:42:00.000-05:002008-04-23T00:42:00.000-05:00Additionally, I see condoms being proposed as equa...Additionally, I see condoms being proposed as equal to hormonal birth control methods, but there are plenty of reasons why they aren't. Typical use renders condoms 85% effective, whereas typical use for hormonal birth control is 95% (typical use falling below perfect use and above complete failure of use). <BR/>From VaginaPagina:<BR/><BR/># Condoms may tear or rip which can render them ineffective.<BR/># Latex condoms can NOT be used with oil-based lubrication, as it may deteriorate the condom.<BR/># Some people may have allergies or sensitivities to latex which can cause dryness, redness, itching, and infection in the genital region.<BR/># Some couples may find condoms decrease sensitivity during sex.<BR/># Many latex condoms are not suitable for vegans as they can be produced with casein (the most common milk protein) and/or can be tested on animals. Glyde is one brand that produces a vegan latex condom.OutcrazyOpheliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01962033787590226582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730657139931062421.post-50568854560902843532008-04-23T00:35:00.000-05:002008-04-23T00:35:00.000-05:00Actually mine would cost $600 a year which is less...Actually mine would cost $600 a year which is less doable for a single person. Again, I'll have to mention that I was prescribed birth control pills for my periods, and I was taking them for years before I ever became sexually active. That I am sexually active doesn't negate the role they have in the maintenance of my health. The arguments I've seen appear to be focused on the moral aspect of sexual intercourse and presumes that there's a partner who should share the cost. Well if my partner were to exit the picture, should the cost of my birth control go down too? (It'd be nice).OutcrazyOpheliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01962033787590226582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730657139931062421.post-60584376252421635762008-04-23T00:18:00.000-05:002008-04-23T00:18:00.000-05:00Things brings us back to an argument stated previo...Things brings us back to an argument stated previously by a couple people...get your boyfriend to help you out with birth control expenses. <BR/><BR/>And you're right, Ophelia. If your parents insurance is through their job, they shouldn't change it to better suit your birth control needs. But then again, your parents shouldn't be responsible for your sex life.<BR/><BR/>Also, if you can't afford the pill, you can still use condoms...I know many of you don't prefer it, but if you can't afford the pill, you should be willing to settle for 3% less effectiveness if it means the difference of paying your electricity bill or getting your birth control pills.<BR/><BR/>But honestly, if the pill costs $300 per year and you split the cost with your boyfriend, that's only $12.50 a month. I think you are really exaggerating the impact the cost of birth control will have on people.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730657139931062421.post-46911825851156225102008-04-23T00:01:00.000-05:002008-04-23T00:01:00.000-05:00Correction: Does that mean that I should never be ...Correction: Does that mean that I should never be allowed to have sex <I>even if I want to?</I>Ameliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10884754298018500343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730657139931062421.post-73124211647560273322008-04-23T00:00:00.000-05:002008-04-23T00:00:00.000-05:00The problem with your argument, Julie, is that you...The problem with your argument, Julie, is that you assume that all women who find the price of birth control to be problematic, spend their money on frivolous pleasures. Is that true of some people? Yes. But for me personally, it does not. I hardly spend any money at all, but if I was not in school and had bills to pay and a disease that I needed to treat, I would still be slightly strapped for money.<BR/><BR/>Does that mean that I should never be allowed to have sex if I don't want to? Why should I be forced to make a decision like that? Why does it always seem like women have to change to accommodate what I see as being unjustness in society?Ameliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10884754298018500343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730657139931062421.post-56666025216146795442008-04-22T23:57:00.000-05:002008-04-22T23:57:00.000-05:00"If you have a problem with your insurance not pay..."If you have a problem with your insurance not paying for your birth control, it appears to me that you could find one that does."<BR/><BR/>That's a nice plan, if you don't have preexisting medical conditions that prevent you from obtaining new insurance. Or, if your insurance isn't provided by your job. My insurance comes from my father's job. There's no way they'd change their insurance if my meds stopped being covered because my younger sister needs the coverage for her much more expensive medical procedures and medications. It's not always possible to pick up and change your insurance to the one that's most convenient.OutcrazyOpheliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01962033787590226582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730657139931062421.post-91640213257764672452008-04-22T23:54:00.000-05:002008-04-22T23:54:00.000-05:00Maybe you should think about what's more important...Maybe you should think about what's more important, then. If you need the insurance to cover medical costs, then suck it up and don't complain that it doesn't cover birth control. Make sacrifices so you can afford it. I realize that $300 per year is kind of expensive if your budget is tight, but there is almost always room for improvement in a budget, as I explained about beauty and hygiene products. Dollar stores are cheap, if your budget is tight, shop at them. You could quit buying soda and just drink tap water. Buy bras at Walmart instead of Victoria's Secret.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730657139931062421.post-10470392527512993612008-04-22T23:39:00.000-05:002008-04-22T23:39:00.000-05:00Julie, I don't know about you, but as someone who ...Julie, I don't know about you, but as someone who depends on insurance on a monthly basis to cover medical expenses, it is not always so easy as "just get another one." What if my insurance helped cover my rather expensive medical costs, but skimped on the birth control? Maybe you are lucky and don't have to deal with this.<BR/><BR/>Just pointing that out.Ameliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10884754298018500343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730657139931062421.post-43139815789419267892008-04-22T23:34:00.000-05:002008-04-22T23:34:00.000-05:00Jen argued earlier that insurance does not cover b...Jen argued earlier that insurance does not cover birth control but covers viagra, but Ophelia's birth control is covered by her insurance...<BR/><BR/>If you have a problem with your insurance not paying for your birth control, it appears to me that you could find one that does. Find the one that fits your needs, and if one of your needs is to have sex 5 times a week, then choose the policy that will pay for birth control. If you choose to have no sex and become depressed and boyfriendless because of it, as Jen implies will happen in her original post, then choose the policy that pays for anti depressants but not for birth control.<BR/><BR/>Another point--Jen, you express such a pressing need to spend so much money on things to make you look more beautiful--how in the WORLD do you rack up hundreds of dollars a month worth of beauty products? You need to learn to budget your money better. What's wrong with buying suave shampoo for $2 per bottle instead of the expensive brands? What's wrong with using a disposable two blade razor instead of the $20 quadruple blade name brand ones? What's wrong with the $3 pink and green tube of mascara instead of the $10 one with the fancy wand? What's wrong with decreasing food portions instead of buying expensive diet foods? Why can't you go jogging outside instead of buying an expensive treadmill? Why do you need the best of everything when the cheaper version will suffice? <BR/><BR/>Being a woman isn't as expensive as you make it seem. I'm in college,so i keep track of my spending to an extent. This whole year I've spent about $1000 out of my checking account. $500 was spent on books, and I'd estimate about $200 was spent on entertainment and gas for my car. That leaves $300 that I spent on pads, tampons, acne treatments, hair products, shampoo and conditioner, lotion, bras, etc. Oh yeah, and I have bought condoms, too! If I can spend $300 in nine months on these things which you claim to have to spend hundreds of dollars monthly on, I'm sure it's possible for you to get your costs down to a much more reasonable level.<BR/><BR/>And no, I don't look like a Neanderthal.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730657139931062421.post-24697377715154711732008-04-22T22:47:00.000-05:002008-04-22T22:47:00.000-05:00Imagine not having the pill be available to you at...Imagine not having the pill be available to you at all. Sure, you would have a few more dollars in your pocket each month, but you also might have a couple of kids to take care of.<BR/><BR/>I know what you're referring to, but I don't have to imagine. The moment my term of insurance ends, this is an incredibly real likelihood. The price of birth control without insurance prices me right out of its protection without the help of my significant other. I can easily see someone single with other financial responsibilities having trouble covering the costs.OutcrazyOpheliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01962033787590226582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730657139931062421.post-65461393850961348492008-04-22T22:28:00.000-05:002008-04-22T22:28:00.000-05:00Lindsey, what social and moral responsibility do c...Lindsey, what social and moral responsibility do corporations have? The sole purpose of a business is to make a profit, thats what keeps economies going. Anything else is just philanthropy and charity.<BR/><BR/>If you took a economics class one of the first concepts you would learn is price elasticity.<BR/><BR/>Sometimes I swear that liberals do not understand economics.<BR/><BR/>Tha company can charge whatever it wants, the market will correct prices if they are to high by nobody buying the product.Goosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05425919642933133023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730657139931062421.post-43423178538509782732008-04-22T22:22:00.000-05:002008-04-22T22:22:00.000-05:00Have you considered that costs could be increasing...Have you considered that costs could be increasing partially due to extended research on the drugs in order to make them safer and more effective, to better benefit you?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730657139931062421.post-52794147976164735982008-04-22T22:17:00.000-05:002008-04-22T22:17:00.000-05:00I'm very grateful that prescription pills are much...I'm very grateful that prescription pills are much more accessible than they used to be and the estrogen dosages are much lower than they used to be. <BR/><BR/>However, I think that it's my right to voice an opinion on anything I want, and I think that birth control should be more reasonably priced, especially since pill costs have skyrocketed since the Deficit Reduction bill passed in 2005. We're talking an increase from $5/15/20 to $30/40/50. <BR/><BR/>I recognize the right of companies to make profits, but then again, these are the same companies that are putting huge patent restrictions on HIV drugs so generic companies can't make knock-off, cheaper versions to distribute in Africa. Yes, HIV in Africa isn't the same as oral contraceptives in America, but my point is that these companies often overlook moral and social responsibilities in favor of making a profit.<BR/><BR/>I'm pretty sure if there's an industry that <I>doesn't</I> need my extra $15 bucks, it's the drug companies. Or oil companies. They don't deserve my extra money either.lindsayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13285797515594923013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730657139931062421.post-15553194866252879542008-04-22T21:56:00.000-05:002008-04-22T21:56:00.000-05:00All things cost money, darling, and birth control ...All things cost money, darling, and birth control manufacturers need to make a profit, too. It's a fact of life. Just because it's something you use and have to pay for doesn't mean that you have a right to demand for the price to be lowered. Just be happy that you have it available to you as an option. <BR/><BR/>When I was your age, oral contraception was new, more expensive, and had much worse side effects than it does now. You also had to be married in order to even get them! I know I'm really dating myself with all this, but I think it will give you a better perspective on what you're complaining about. <BR/><BR/>Imagine not having the pill be available to you at all. Sure, you would have a few more dollars in your pocket each month, but you also might have a couple of kids to take care of.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730657139931062421.post-70059976800661940982008-04-22T21:54:00.000-05:002008-04-22T21:54:00.000-05:00What sex is meant to be obviously depends on an in...What sex is meant to be obviously depends on an individual's own interpretation. Let me just toss in an example of an infertile couple, or one who simply don't want children--sex isn't meant for procreation in either of those cases. That's neither here nor there. If, as you suggest, there's a price to breaking arbitrary standards of morality--why doesn't it cost the man as much as it does the woman? Condoms are 1/5 the cost of my birth control pills and somehow this is fair and equitable? I suppose if one ascribes to the belief that women should serve as the gatekeepers to sexual activity, it makes sense to punish them financially for breaking this pact. However, birth control is also used to regular menstrual periods and other ailments--so it doesn't seem fair to paint all users with the same immoral brush. Should your birth control cost less if you're abstinent and only using it to reduce acne?OutcrazyOpheliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01962033787590226582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730657139931062421.post-89140675260760663762008-04-22T21:39:00.000-05:002008-04-22T21:39:00.000-05:00This is going to cause some hateful comments towar...This is going to cause some hateful comments towards me, I'm sure, but I'm used to it.<BR/><BR/>Isn't the purpose of sex to procreate? If you don't want to have a baby, you ideally should not be having sex. If you're going to go against what sex is meant to be, and you have it for fun, shouldn't you be responsible for costs associated with it? If you want to go see a movie, you pay the ticket price and you don't complain, because you're getting something in return. If you want to have sex, you pay the prescription or condom cost, and you shouldn't complain, because you're getting something in return.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730657139931062421.post-71065347460572512302008-04-22T21:12:00.000-05:002008-04-22T21:12:00.000-05:00We (somewhat) split birth control costs. We try t...We (somewhat) split birth control costs. We try to get free condoms as much as possible and if we have to buy them, he does. <BR/><BR/>As for him contributing to my prescription costs, I'm sure he would if I asked him to. The thing is, I had my prescription before he came around and I'll have it after he leaves (if he does). While $30/month is something I complain about, it's not something that I can't (usually) handle. If things got tight, he'd probably help me cover it. <BR/><BR/>Usually though, if I've just picked up a 3 month supply, effectively wiping me out of $90, he'll pay for dinner or whatever until I've been paid again. <BR/><BR/>I'm lucky enough to be in a stable relationship where I wouldn't feel weird asking my boyfriend to cover birth control costs. Some other people might not be as lucky. <BR/><BR/>The main point isn't that birth control costs should be evenly split - however individuals want to do that is fine. The point is that it should be cheaper and more accessible in general.lindsayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13285797515594923013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730657139931062421.post-17865909062036979012008-04-22T20:45:00.000-05:002008-04-22T20:45:00.000-05:00I don't understand why more people don't split the...I don't understand why more people don't split the cost of birth control, as a couple previous posters have mentioned. You complain about having to pay for it, but if you're in an ongoing sexual relationship with a guy and he's a good guy, I think he would be understanding of the costs and would be willing to split it with you. If he flat out refuses to pay anything for birth control, maybe you shouldn't be having sex with him. If he's not willing to pay for birth control, he's probably not going to be willing to stick around or help pay for things if you get pregnant, should the birth control fail.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com