Did anyone else realize that contraception for women wasn't covered by insurance while Viagra is? I had no idea! After Viagra, it's time insurers covered the Pill By REP. SENFRONIA THOMPSON Health insurers are redlining the bedroom -- covering his side of the bed but not hers. More than half of the nation's insurance companies rushed to cover Viagra when it first burst onto the market in 1998. Meanwhile, more than 30 years after its conception, two-thirds of all major group health insurers do not cover the Pill. In fact, half of these insurers cover no contraceptives at all. There is no sound medical reason for insurers to cover Viagra but not contraceptives. Such discrimination partially explains why women's average out-of-pocket health-care expenses are 68 percent higher than those of men. On April 9th, the Texas House Insurance Committee passed the Texas Contraceptive Parity bill that I authored to ensure that insurers practice contraceptive equity. Although the Texas Department of Insurance adopted contraceptive equity rules 23 years ago, they do not cover all contraceptive prescriptions, particularly those that the Food and Drug Administration has approved since the Pill. House Bill 2382 updates and expands Texas' contraceptive equity rules to also cover Norplant, Depo-Provera, the diaphragm and the IUD. It would greatly improve women's health care, while reducing the number of unintended pregnancies and abortions in Texas. Millions of Texas women rely on contraceptives to prevent or plan pregnancies, as well as to treat a variety of medical problems. During the first 20 years of her adult life -- as she postpones, plans and raises her family -- the average woman relies on a variety of contraceptives to meet her changing health-care needs. Contraceptives are prescribed for endometriosis, hormone replacement therapy, debilitating menstrual cycles, protection against ovarian cancer and other health-care concerns. If this legislation fails, women might end up turning to the courts. So far, 14 states have pre-empted such legal action by enacting contraceptive parity laws. A class-action lawsuit already has been filed to reverse contraceptive inequities in Washington State on behalf of female employees whose insurance company refuses to cover prescription contraceptives. And the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission recently ruled that insurers are practicing unlawful sex discrimination in violation of the 1964 Civil Rights Act by failing to cover prescription contraceptives when other prescription drugs and devices are covered. HB 2382, the Texas Contraceptive Parity bill, would end long-standing discrimination by health insurers without the need for litigation. It would allow Texas women to make sound health decisions based on their own health-care needs. And it would reduce abortions by preventing unintended pregnancies. ------------------ And then, depression set in...
Personally, I don't think Viagra should be covered by medical insurance (Though I have no problem with the pill being covered). ------------------ Houston Sports Board
I did know that. I know the article doesn't mention it, but what about the morning-after pill? Maybe the article did mention it and I just don't know its proper name. Wouldn't that also prevent a lot of unplanned pregnancies? ------------------
It seems substantiated because viagra is taken for sexual performance issues while the other side of the coin deals with contraception issues. If insurance covers sexual performance issues for men, then it is in the interest of fairness to do the same for females on the same issues. Otherwise the article's point is indifferent. ------------------ I'm just a nut, trying to get a squirrel!
Viagra isn't a contraceptive. If "the pill" is going to be covered then so should "the condom". Millions of Texas men rely on condoms to prevent and plan pregnancies also. How does this stuff get linked together anyway!? People just scrounging around for something to file a lawsuit about. Sounds like Senfronia is trying to re-invent the word contraceptive. ------------------ The ox is slow but the Earth is patient.
My wife's insurance covers the pill. The pill is not solely a contraceptive, unlike condoms. ------------------ snap crackle pop [This message has been edited by CriscoKidd (edited April 12, 2001).]
I don't think there is much of an ethical question here. I'm sure the insurance companies will be happy to cover the pill if the customers are willing to pay higher premiums for it. As for Viagra, I think covering it is stupid and I'd prefer it if my insurance did not cover it (they don't seem to cover anything at all, so I don't know if they actually do cover Viagra). But, they apparently decided it was a cost-effective thing to include. I harbor an intense hatred for insurance companies, but I think in both cases the customers are to blame. ------------------ RealGM Gafford Art Artisan Cakes
Crisco is right... if a woman has a problem w/ her flow/headaches, etc., it's rather easy to get covered by insurance... unless you use Blue Cross. ------------------ ballerina, you must have seen her... dancing in the sand
Viagra - deals with Male Impotence Does insurance cover the peterpump/psych visits/ other medical resolution for this problem? Does it cover the female equivalent of this? THE PILL - primary purpose seemed to be contraseption . . . what are it's other uses? I know it regulars some women's 'flow' etc Are their alternatives for these problems and are they covered? I have no prob with the pill *OR* Viagra being on the insurance I think when folx thing Viagra they think of folx trying to get an extra BOOST not they guy who is TRULY disfunctional. I consider that a medical problem and should be covered by medical insurance Rocket River Why are people so negative toward viagra why is it perceive as a pill for a man's vanity? if a organ in ya body doesn't work properly I think it should be fixed . . . and it no joke. ------------------
I don't think it's a fair comparison. Yes one is for women, and one is for men, but beyond that, they treat completely different conditions. There are many medications prescribed solely for women. IMHO -- they are trying to make an issue out of what in practice, is not. Keep in mind that almost every insurance company requires a co-payment on medications, often $10 or $15 on generics. Since the generic pill costs about $14.00 for a one month supply... Low income families can get it for free through various sources. ------------------ Stay Cool...
You aren't the only one! This comes down to perception. Private companies may cover both but Medicare doesn't and the women who can't afford contraception are, statistically speaking, the one's who need it the most. Viagra has been cited as one of the most over and misprescribed drugs ever. In it's first week, it became the most prescribed medication in the history of medicine! The two are fairly compared because they deal with the perception of sexuality in America. If a medicine like Viagra is made that allows men to get it up more easily, they get it quickly and easily with no questions asked. It's like, "Good for him! He's gettin' some again." Does it matter if he is married or if he potentially creates unwanted pregnancies? Apparently not. However, if women want a pill simply to protect themselves from an unwanted pregnancy, they have to fight for it. Unfortunately, there is still a stigma attached to women needing the pill. If a young woman gets the pill, it is a sign that she is either having sex or wants to have sex. It isn't a badge of honor. It is embarrassing. For men, Viagra signaled a new vitality and strength. Does anyone honestly believe that a pill that would help women have better orgasms or allow them to have orgasms in the first place (according to studies, over 40% of women do not have orgasms during sex) that it would get the fanfare that Viagra has gotten for essentially doing the same thing? Not a chance. It isn't an issue of medicine or even insurance. It is an issue at the heart of equality for men and women. Women should be free of the stigma of pursing their own sexuality as men seem to be. This is just another example of how they are not afforded the same opportunities as men because we have different standards for men and women. ------------------ And then, depression set in... [This message has been edited by Jeff (edited April 12, 2001).]
Why is this an issue of equality? Women don't have problems with impotence. Viagra helps with impotence, it isn't a contraceptive. Men are as responsible for unwanted pregnancy as women. There are men who can't afford condoms. Should we bend over backwards for these guys like you're saying that women who can't afford the pill are the ones who need it the most. Why can't we just tell them to stop having sex until they can afford it? That seems more an issue of equality than comparing Viagra to the pill. ------------------ The ox is slow but the Earth is patient.
Why can't we tell men to not worry about having sex until they can get it up? Sex isn't something that insurance companies should be dealing with, either in contraceptives or impotence. ------------------ www.swirve.com I think my w**** is dead.
Alright then, why can't we tell women to stop worrying about having children until they can stop using fertility drugs? We can go around and around with this weak cycle of logic. Impotence is a medical condition just like paralysis or diabetes. ------------------ The ox is slow but the Earth is patient.
Pregnancy is also a medical condition. Many people recieve cancer prevention and heart disease prevention every year and it is covered by insurance. What is the difference with pregnancy? There are behavioral risks associated with nearly every disease and prevention is covered by most insurance policies. Pregnancy, or prevention of it, should be no different. You are right. We could go round and round about this. The point is that not every guy who gets Viagra is impotent. However, I'm pretty sure most women on the pill have sex. I don't care if guys get it or not, but I don't think that they deserve to have it paid for more than a woman deserves to have her protection paid for. ------------------ And then, depression set in...
Is there a sure-fire way to ensure that you don't get cancer? There's a sure-fire way to prevent pregnancy, and it doesn't cost a dime.
Pregnancy is a choice, not a disease. We don't choose to have cancer or heart disease or to be impotent. That's the difference. Condoms prevent pregnancy every bit as much as the pill. Condoms aren't cheap either! ------------------ The ox is slow but the Earth is patient.
I don't get what you mean by this. Are you saying that condoms do not protect from STDs? Or maybe that the drug cocktail that is used in the treatment of HIV and AIDS is less expensive than a condom? What part of my post was bumper sticker like? ------------------ "Of course, thats just my opinion, I could be wrong" -- Dennis Miller
