Planned Parenthood Advocate

GOP leadership dismiss the cost of birth control

Recent political debate in Congress surrounding Obama’s requirement for insurance companies to offer birth control coverage has been criticized by conservative groups and GOP leadership, claiming that “every woman” has access to birth control and that it costs “just of few dollars”.

Hmm..that’s interesting, because Mother Jones Magazine just created a birth control cost calculator that estimates the lifetime cost of birth control. For example, a 25-year-old woman without health insurance can expect to pay nearly $47,000 dollars for birth control pills by the time she turns 51, the average age women enter menopause. This estimate factors in retail birth control prices as well as expenses associated with annual exams. An insured 25-year-old woman can expect to pay over $8,000.

Plug in your age and contraceptive method of choice and find out how much you might pay if President Obama’s rule is reversed. I guarantee it will be more than “just a few dollars.”

According to Mother Jones, the average woman spends about 30 years in her lifetime trying to prevent pregnancy, spending far more than just a few bucks. More than 98 percent of women, including Catholics, have used birth control as a contraceptive method in their lifetime. Private insurers not covering the cost of birth control has contributed to women paying 68 percent more in health care expenses than their male counterparts do (Center for Reproductive Law and Policy). Out of pocket expenses add up, and should not be an issue for GOP politicians to distort.

Planned Parenthood knows how challenging it can be for women to afford birth control. Over 50% of young adult women report inconsistent contraception use due to the high cost of birth control.That’s why Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota offers birth control and other services at no-cost to eligible women. If you are going to school or living paycheck to paycheck, you are most likely eligible to receive birth control at no cost through our 4NOW program. Please visit our website for more information.

-Alexa, Marketing Coordinator Intern, Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Datoka 

Oh the things some men will say about birth control

There's a lot of incorrect and extreme statements being made about birth control lately... Check out a few of the most unbelievable

Tell Congress to Back off Birth Control.

 

 

-Karina, Web Editor, Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota

President Obama Reaffirms Commitment to Women’s Access to Birth Control; Fight Continues in Congress

In the face of an outrageous assault on women’s health, the Obama administration has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring all women will have access to birth control coverage, with no costly co-pays and no additional hurdles, no matter where they work.

“Our number one concern is making sure women have access to basic health care, including access to contraception, and Obama’s announcement today means that all women will have that access no matter where they work or who their employer is,” said Sarah Stoesz, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota (PPMNS). “The compliance mechanism does not compromise a woman’s ability to access critical birth control benefits.”

Rick “Dangers of Contraception” Santorum wins Minnesota straw poll

Last night, Minnesotans attended caucuses, and Republicans overwhelmingly supported Senator Rick Santorum to be their party’s challenger to President Obama. Santorum won 45 percent of Republican straw poll voters. Ron Paul garnered 27 percent and Romney finished third with 17 percent.

On women’s health issues, Santorum is beyond extreme. I wonder what Minnesota Republican women would have to say about his statements on birth control?

“One of the things I will talk about, that no president has talked about before, is I think the dangers of contraception in this country...It’s not okay. It’s a license to do things in a sexual realm that is counter to how things are supposed to be.”

Santorum opposes the 1965 Supreme Court decision that allowed married couples to use contraception. 

Watch a video of the statements here.

We’ll be keeping our eye on Senator Santorum and his anti-women’s health care statements. Won’t you join us? Sign the pledge and join Women are Watching.

 

-by Karina, Web Editor, Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

Statement of Sarah Stoesz, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, on the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s Decision to Reinstate Funding for Breast Cancer Screenings at Planned Parenthood Health Centers Nationwide

The outpouring of support for women in need of lifesaving breast cancer screening this week has been astonishing and is a testament to our nation's compassion and sincerity.

This show of support underscores what a critical resource Planned Parenthood is in the fight to detect and prevent breast cancer.  We were so heartened by the calls and emails we received from people in our region, who made it clear that they did not like to see politics playing a role in women’s health care. 

During the last week, millions spontaneously joined a national conversation about lifesaving breast cancer prevention care and reinforced shared values about access to health care for all.  This compassionate outcry in support of those most in need rose above political, ideological, and cultural divides, and will surely be recognized as one of our nation's better moments during a contentious political time.  Planned Parenthood thanks each and every person who has contributed to elevating the importance of breast cancer prevention for so many women in need.

We are very happy the Susan G. Komen Foundation has had a change of heart.  This decision will mean that women around the country who need life-saving cancer screenings will still be able to acess them.

Contact: Jen Aulwes, 651.755.9557