Compulsory Contraception Coverage Is Common Sense

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Americans have put men on the moon. They have pioneered a new era of technology and innovation, producing the airplane, the car, the light bulb, and thousands of other inventions that have improved the lives of billions. For more than a century, the United States has been one of, if not the most powerful country in the world, with one of the highest standards of living anywhere. But despite all of these enormous successes, countless Americans are unable to afford basic birth control due to limited or no coverage from the majority of their health insurance providers (Sealey). This is inconsistent even with other procedures and treatments that health insurers do cover, including pharmaceuticals such as Viagra for treating impotence. Additionally, the small amount of money needed to provide contraceptives at no cost to citizens is inconsequential compared to the money saved by reducing unwanted pregnancies. And finally, there is a wealth of evidence showing that an increase in the availability of contraceptives will not result in promiscuity and greater amounts of premarital sex, which is a major issue many have with such a plan. The American government needs to mandate that contraceptives be readily and cheaply available through health insurance to all Americans. To start, there are many inconsistencies between what health insurance companies cover and what they do not. For example, pharmaceuticals used to treat impotence such as Cialis and Viagra are covered by the majority of health insurance plans whereas contraceptive measures are in most cases not subsidized in any way (Sealey). When many opponent’s objections to covering birth control are that it will be “paying for people to have sex”, it is illogical to cover treatments ... ... middle of paper ... ...hena Tapales. "The Impact of Publicly Funded Family Planning Clinic Services on Unintended Pregnancies and Government Cost Savings." Guttmacher. Guttmacher Institute, n.d. Web. 13 Mar 2012. . Rosenthal, Elizabeth. "Legal or Not, Abortion Rates Compare." New York Times 12 Oct 2007, n. pag. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. . Sealey, Geraldine. "Erections Get Insurance; Why Not the Pill?." ABC News. ABC News, 19 Jun 2002. Web. 13 Mar 2012. Tempalski, Barbara, Peter Flom, et al. "Social and Political Factors Predicting the Presence of Syringe Exchange Programs in 96 US Metropolitan Areas."American Journal of Public Health 2007. 97.3 (2007): 437–447. Web. 13 Mar. 2012. .

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