Birth Control

Obama’s proposition to provide birth control to women for free may very well have a large impact on college campuses. Insurers and companies will be required to provide women with birth control free of charge. This means women will not be charged any co-pays or deductibles; they will have access to contraceptives easily. Because pregnancy is a major issue for sexually active women on college campuses, this will be a big deal at Ohio University, and colleges across the U.S. This issue is not without controversy; however, religion affiliated organizations may have a problem with providing birth control to college students.

In support of providing free contraceptives are many women on campus who are trying to save money.  Ohio University student Mary Cholewa expressed her concern saying, “Student loans are bad enough, I really can’t afford another 40 dollars a month for my birth control. I don’t have spare cash right now, and it’s really expensive.”  Her view reflects that of many students that are worried about spending money. One of the main concerns of college students is about saving anywhere they can. At the same time, birth control is a pricey necessity. It will come as a relief to these women that beginning Aug. 1st birth control will be covered.

            There are many colleges, such as Xavier University, who are religiously affiliated. I have a cousin that goes to Xavier and does not support free birth control. There have been exceptions made to prevent infringement on religious rights. Religious colleges, hospitals, and other institutions do not have to provide the contraceptives directly, but instead the insurer must provide them. Those who remain opposed argue that the religious organizations may be paying the insurance companies more, due to jacked up prices to cover birth control. In essence, they would still be paying for the contraceptives, just in a more roundabout way.

In most cases this service will be very beneficial to college students. It will prevent unwanted pregnancy, and reduce the number of abortions in college students and women all over the U.S. This can be an expensive and emotionally stressful procedure that should be avoided at all cost. Hopefully free birth control will be beneficial and help protect the women of Ohio University from unwanted pregnancies.