The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of SIU at Carbondale. Except during vacations and exam weeks,
The Daily Egyptian is published Monday through Friday during the fall and
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A pregnant woman walks inside of a medical center and meets her doctor. The doctor is surprised to see this woman, because she had just given her a prescription for birth control pills. She didn't have enough money to continue getting the pills, and now she is pregnant with her sixth child.
State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, D-Chicago, remembers her mother, who was the doctor, telling her this story when she was younger. The lack of funds for contraceptives was one of the reasons why Feigenholtz became an avid sponsor of a bill to ensure equity in contraceptive coverage.
"This woman was forced to make a decision," Feigenholtz said. "It was either birth control or food on the table for her five other kids."
Thanks to a new bill signed Monday by Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Feigenholtz and women throughout Illinois do not have to worry anymore. The new law requires insurance providers that cover prescription drugs to also cover all FDA-approved contraceptive drugs and devices.
"When Viagra first hit the market, it was covered by insurance companies," Feigenholtz said. "It is now 40 years later, and birth control and FDA-approved contraceptives are just now being covered."
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 71 percent of women ages 25-34 use contraceptives in the United States.
"We see a lot of patients who fall through the cracks because they don't qualify for any kind of aid," said Nancy Caskey, clinic supervisor of the Adolescent Health Center in Carbondale. "There are some people that cannot afford the cost of birth control pills every month, so they restart every few months."
The cost of contraceptives is increasing at an alarming rate. SIUC students receive a break compared to what most consumers pay at a regular pharmacy. Birth control bills at SIU's pharmacy can range anywhere in price from $7.10 to about $30, while CVS Pharmacy has prices that can range anywhere from $25 to $45.
The cost of Depo-Provera, a contraceptive shot that is given every three months, at SIU's pharmacy is $52.15, while CVS' cost is $67.59.
Ortha Evra, a contraceptive patch that is used weekly, costs $13.69 per month from SIU's pharmacy, while CVS charges $17.75.
Previn, commonly known as the morning-after pill, as well as any other post-conception drugs are not covered under this new law.
Women who are of reproductive age spend 68 percent more in health care costs than men, due to the costs of reproductive health care costs.
This law also covers outpatient medical services that would be used as a means to prevent pregnancy.
However, not everyone is happy with the new legislation. There were several organizations that opposed the bill, including the Catholic Conference of Illinois, the Illinois Life Insurance Council and the Illinois Chamber of Commerce.
The CCI's website states three reasons why it was in opposition to the legislation. It said that the state should have coverage for the 1.8 million uninsured Illinois residents instead of extending the coverage of those who are already insured. It also stated possible health problems that could come as a result of contraceptive use and the end of employee-employer relationships.
"We think that decisions should be left up to the employer and the employee," said Bob Gilligan, executive director of CCI. "By mandating insurance companies to cover contraceptives, there is a violation of that relationship, as well as a violation of freedom of religious liberties."
Illinois, which became the 20th state to require private insurance companies to provide contraceptive equity, has received opposition from state insurance organizations.
"Generally, insurance firms are strategically opposed to anything that is mandated by state law," Feigenholtz said. "It is their job to be concerned with the costs, but the other 19 states that have passed similar laws have had reduced costs for insurance firms."
According to a study done by the Washington Business Group on Health, employers who do not offer contraceptive coverage with their employees' health insurance can pay 15 to 17 percent more than those who do provide coverage.
Sponsors of this legislation have stated that better family planning was one of the reasons for pushing for this bill.
"A healthy pregnancy can cost about $10,000," said Eric Palmer, press secretary for state Sen. Iris Martinez, D-Chicago, a sponsor of the bill. "But a complicated pregnancy can exceed costs of $500,000."
Feigenholtz said that although equity and equality were one of the main focuses of the bill, the importance of safe planning for parenthood should not be forgotten.
"Baby-spacing is something that health care providers warn about," Feigenholtz said. "It helps with prenatal care and preventing low-weight babies.
"I thank God that the governor signed this into law. It is a new day for women in Illinois, and I am beside myself with satisfaction."
