Free Birth Control Pill

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  • BeckiCharlotte13x
    BeckiCharlotte13x Posts: 259 Member
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    Having read most of this and coming from a country where birth control is "free" I thought id comment. By free I mean paid for by taxes and stuff like the entire national health service is here.

    Anyone even under 16 to 25 can get contraception for free in the UK by visiting anonymous clinics or teenage help centres, over 25s have to visit a GP or a clinic, that is any pill that suits, condoms, implants, patches, injections, coils etc. It does not stop scruffs popping out children yearly and getting free houses and living off welfare, there is also a lot of teen pregnancies here, especially in deprived areas im 20 half the people I went to school with have 1,2 or 3 kids already! STD rates in teens are high too, despite being able to convieniently get around 20 condoms a week, they just dont bother.

    I do however think everyone should be able to access birth control.

    I have no problem with the UK system of high tax to fund the healthservice as a slow service (just waited 5 weeks to get a 15 minute GP appointment) that just does the job is avaiable to everyone regardless of their income or background, private healthcare is available as a luxury to those who can afford it. I do have a problem with my taxes being used for dole bums (the work shy- they never ever intend of working) of which there are many here, though those who genuinely cant work/cant find work should be helped more but this is getting a bit politcal :-)

    SPOT ON!
  • RDalton84
    RDalton84 Posts: 207
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    Don't even get me started on Obamacare... If you want to take birth control pills then YOU buy them, not us tax payers. Free does not mean free because somebody pays for it.

    Oh. That must mean you'd rather pay for an illegitimate child that is the result of someone unable to purchase their own birth control? Sex is going to happen. We might as well make birth control available than increase an already overwhelming population and be forced to pay for unwanted children in need of welfare services.

    Except that the people that SHOULD be taking the pill or using some type of birth control aren't for whatever reason. My cousin is a prime example. She has one baby and she was on the pill but couldn't be bothered to remember to take it so guess what? she ended up with another baby she couldn't afford. And she got her presciption for "free".
  • nevertoolate2
    nevertoolate2 Posts: 309 Member
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    It seems so alien to me - living in the UK, to hear that people pay for their birth control...

    I always want to know what that person's effective tax rate is when I hear Canadians or anyone in a country with socialized medicine talk about not paying for healthcare.

    I can answer this, but like many things in the UK, our direct taxation system is extremely complex.

    An individual pays two types of direct taxes. Income tax and National Insurance. The rates differ based upon circumstances and earnings. Generally, for income tax, the more you earn the more you pay (although tax avoidance is a really hot topic in the UK at the moment). Earnings up to £8k pa are tax free. After that you pay tax at 20% up to £34k, 40% over £34k up to £150k when it rises to 50%. National Insurance is banded You don't pay it on earnings below £7.6kpa but then it rises to 12% up to £42k when you then pay 2% on all earnings above that. The effective rate of tax is therefore difficult to calculate but at the high point it is 52%, the average is something like 26%.

    I don't know how that compares to the USA.

    All healthcare services are free at the point of consumption (any doctor or clinic or hospital) but that is a little different again for drugs. Drugs prescribed in hospital are free. Contraceptives are free for all, irrespective of why they are prescribed. Whilst there are exceptions for those on low income, for the rest of us, we pay a prescription charge of about £7 for each drug prescribed, irrespective of it's actual cost.

    But you have to be careful here, that effective rate of tax is not for healthcare, it is for the "welfare state". This is the premise (and I will keep politics out of it here because this is as immotive for us as Obamacare is for you) that the better off contribute to the welfare of the less well off. This means we pay a state pension, income support for those on low(ish) income, child health benefits, unemployment and work seeker benefits, state provided accomodation/financial assistance for housing and benefits to asylum seekers and immigrants that make the UK the second most popular destination for migration after the US.

    On another political hot potato, contraception is free to all, including the morning after pill. Yet the UK has one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in Europe. We could debate endlessly whether there is a correlation between the availability of free contraception, promiscuity and teen pregnancy but it is almost counter intuitive that if you provide free birth control, even if promiscuity increases, pregnancy rates should not, so something is seriously wrong here!

    That's probably a bit long winded so sorry for those that like gobbits, I've been following Obamacare with interest following a recent trip to the US when it finally got pushed through and with many things like this, there are no right or wrong answers, only different shades of grey (now that sounds like a good title for a book!) and whatever my beliefs, I like to gain a cursory understanding of both sides of an issue.

    Thanks for reading, those that got through it all, hope you found it interesting.
  • BeckiCharlotte13x
    BeckiCharlotte13x Posts: 259 Member
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    As previously stated, we ALL pay our tax, which entitles ALL to free healthcare, unless you choose to go private. Nobody is paying for MY birth control, and I am not paying for anyone else's. We all pay for the service!

    Many Americans get Tax Refunds and don't pay the taxes that go for free healthcare.

    I know that, I read earlier that when I said birth control is free in the UK, someone said well it isn't, because you and other other people are paying for it in tax.
  • daffodilsoup
    daffodilsoup Posts: 1,972 Member
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    I would glady pay taxes on this, because then there wouldn't be children pregnant with children.

    And there also wouldn't be people on welfare with 9 kids at walmart getting everything for free without having a job, just because they have 9 kids because they didn't feel like taking birth control or they couldn't afford it.

    Doubtful. You'd have to force everyone to take it. Parents (like myself) will not allow their children to behave like animals. My kids are quite aware that any behavior that does not meet dad's approval would likely result in someone walking around looking like a unicorn for the rest of their life since that's where I'm going to relocate it. I've got to brag that I've got some damn smart kids.

    What we will likely see is a widespread increase in STD infections because a lot of those who had been exercising self-control due to not being "protected" will now be happily engaged in sexual activity naively thinking that their partners are all healthy and they wont get pregnant.

    Having sex does not make someone any less civilized than another. Sex feels nice, and that's all it is. If teens, young adults, etc. want to have sex and be responsible by taking birth control, then good for them for making a mature, adult decision.

    There doesn't need to be a "widespread increase" in STD infections - if parents would go ahead and educate their children on safe sex practices and the fact that birth control pills don't protect against infections, then it wouldn't be an issue. Unfortunately, it's been proven that an abstinence-only education doesn't work - kids are going to have sex whether Daddy approves or not, so why not arm them with information?

    Besides, I'd rather pay for peoples' birth control than their sh*tty kids any day.
  • Melanie_RS
    Melanie_RS Posts: 417 Member
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    tax payers pay for so many things that are stupid .... this shouldn't even be on the table as one of them.

    this is necessary!
  • TylerJ76
    TylerJ76 Posts: 4,375 Member
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    *shakes head*
  • daffodilsoup
    daffodilsoup Posts: 1,972 Member
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    Why do some teens become sexually active:

    Sexual attraction
    Society & media pressure
    Peer pressure
    Use of alcohol and drugs
    Pressure from boyfriend/girlfriend
    Desire to be considered "normal"
    Parents’ example
    Inappropriate sex education
    Mistaken beliefs
    Boredom
    Low self-esteem
    Loneliness
    No good reasons to say "No"

    Do any of these sound good to you? p.s your a legal adult, accept it already.

    Or because sex is a natural, biological urge?

    The United States needs to re-think its sexual education - the old "hey you sluts, quit doin' it!" approach isn't working. Instead of being treated like something to feel shameful about, we need to arm our children with information and knowledge. If parents would take "the talk" into their own hands and talk to their own kid for five darn minutes, I'd bet you we'd have a lot less teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease in our country.
  • beckajw
    beckajw Posts: 1,738 Member
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    Depends upon how you define free. If you mean everyone else who pays taxes is paying for it so you don't have to, and you have the right coverage, then yeah I guess it's "free".

    I would glady pay taxes on this, because then there wouldn't be children pregnant with children.

    And there also wouldn't be people on welfare with 9 kids at walmart getting everything for free without having a job, just because they have 9 kids because they didn't feel like taking birth control or they couldn't afford it.

    I wish this were true. However, you can get birth control free or almost free at planned parenthood, yet people don't take advantage of it. Are they going to take advantage of it now? Or are they going to continue to have children so they can increase the amount they get through welfare? I'm pretty sure, they're still going to have their 9, 10, 11 kids so they can get things for free.
  • britcurl
    britcurl Posts: 110 Member
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    If you think it's expensive now, wait until it's "free".....
    :drinker:

    THIS^^^^^^^
  • britcurl
    britcurl Posts: 110 Member
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    Whatever happened to people taking care of themselves? Or teaching children abstinence? Why do I or anyone else have to pay for someone's birth control pills?

    Obviously you have no idea what you're talking about. Places that teach abstinence only have much higher rates of teen pregnancy. Also, have you ever worked a minimum wage job without assistance (because ironically full time minimum wage is above the poverty threshold) and tried to buy basic necessities such as food, shelter, and utilities? It can't be done. If you can't pay for basics, how are you going to cover medical care? Much less birth control. You are ignorant.

    No, Ignorance is not taking the "Free" grants that are offered ALL the time to go to college. Get a better job and then you can afford all of the above. But instead, Lets all just work at McDonalds and take all the handouts we can get, while someone else (like myself) Did what it takes to get the grants, bust my butt in school and now busts it at work to pay for all the handouts.
  • jaymek92
    jaymek92 Posts: 309 Member
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    What good is free BC without free Viagra?
    Viagra is already covered by health insurance. Because apparently men are allowed to have sex, but not women who don't want children, acne, or irregular/heavy periods.
  • LowcarbNY
    LowcarbNY Posts: 546 Member
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    What good is free BC without free Viagra?
    Viagra is already covered by health insurance. Because apparently men are allowed to have sex, but not women who don't want children, acne, or irregular/heavy periods.
    BC is covered by insurance too, but apparently covered isnt good enough, free is necessary.

    Btw, it was a comical sarcastic quip not a debating point. Sorry you missed that.
  • BeckiCharlotte13x
    BeckiCharlotte13x Posts: 259 Member
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    I would glady pay taxes on this, because then there wouldn't be children pregnant with children.

    And there also wouldn't be people on welfare with 9 kids at walmart getting everything for free without having a job, just because they have 9 kids because they didn't feel like taking birth control or they couldn't afford it.

    Doubtful. You'd have to force everyone to take it. Parents (like myself) will not allow their children to behave like animals. My kids are quite aware that any behavior that does not meet dad's approval would likely result in someone walking around looking like a unicorn for the rest of their life since that's where I'm going to relocate it. I've got to brag that I've got some damn smart kids.

    What we will likely see is a widespread increase in STD infections because a lot of those who had been exercising self-control due to not being "protected" will now be happily engaged in sexual activity naively thinking that their partners are all healthy and they wont get pregnant.

    Can I ask why you are so against your children having sex. (which is not acting like animals by the way, it is a very normal act). Obviously, I do not know the ages of your children but I'm assuming your view isn't going to change soon.

    Is it because you do not think that your children are sensible enough to only have sex with their boyfriend or girlfriend and not sleep around and, i will agree, act like animals.

    Is it because you do not think your children are sensible enough to use protection?

    Is it because you do not want to let go of your children?

    And, i'll also, give you a very brutal comment now... You're kids will have sex, and it's likely that they will have sex before you want them too. You attitude alone is enough to force them to rebel.
  • jaymek92
    jaymek92 Posts: 309 Member
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    What good is free BC without free Viagra?
    Viagra is already covered by health insurance. Because apparently men are allowed to have sex, but not women who don't want children, acne, or irregular/heavy periods.
    BC is covered by insurance too, but apparently covered isnt good enough, free is necessary.

    Btw, it was a comical sarcastic quip not a debating point. Sorry you missed that.
    Sarcasm aside, Viagra is something that is absolutely not needed. The list of side effects (stroke, arrhythmia, death, etc.) is much longer than the list of benefits (boner).
    For some women (or people with vaginas), hormonal birth control is necessary. Somebody earlier said that she can have heart attacks if she is not on a POP. Some people have debilitating cramps. Since you're (I'm assuming) a cis-gendered male, you don't know what normal cramps are like, let alone cramps in your uterus accompanied by cramps in your back and maybe a migraine, just for good measure. Periods are not fun to begin with (because, honestly, who really likes bleeding for awhile?), and they become less fun when they appear at irregular intervals or last for a couple weeks, and irregular or heavy periods are not generally something that's debilitating or interferes with your normal life, it's something that people shouldn't have to go to when there's an option that can make it not happen.
    Point blank, the reason why birth control is not (or was not) entirely covered under health insurance is because everything in America is run by old, rich, white men who don't like women. Viagra is only a few dollars a pill without insurance and cheaper with, while the sole purpose of it is to have sex. Hormonal birth control has dozens of purposes, but can be extremely expensive, like the $98 a month for the third poster.
  • JustJennie1
    JustJennie1 Posts: 3,843 Member
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    If by "free" you mean my tax dollars are paying for it then yes.:bigsmile: <--- sarcastic smilie
    Viagra is something that is absolutely not needed. The list of side effects (stroke, arrhythmia, death, etc.) is much longer than the list of benefits (boner).

    Sorry but I can't agree with this. What you're saying is that a man who suffers from ED -- which IS a medical condition BTW -- doesn't deserve to be prescribed a drug that can give him a healthy sex life? And FYI: all those side effects from Viagra are pretty much the same with a birth control pill. Read the warning labels.
  • jaymek92
    jaymek92 Posts: 309 Member
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    If by "free" you mean my tax dollars are paying for it then yes.:bigsmile: <--- sarcastic smilie
    Viagra is something that is absolutely not needed. The list of side effects (stroke, arrhythmia, death, etc.) is much longer than the list of benefits (boner).

    Sorry but I can't agree with this. What you're saying is that a man who suffers from ED -- which IS a medical condition BTW -- doesn't deserve to be prescribed a drug that can give him a healthy sex life? And FYI: all those side effects from Viagra are pretty much the same with a birth control pill. Read the warning labels.
    If I wasn't on birth control, I wouldn't be having a healthy sex life. Also due to a medical condition, but this one is called "pregnancy".
    I'm not saying Viagra shouldn't be prescribed (because I'm totally sex positive), but I believe that people with vaginas shouldn't be discriminated against just for having vaginas.
    If there was a thread entitled "Free Viagra", the entire thread would consist of comments looking like this: :drinker:
    Because it's something that relates to people with vaginas, however, birth control pills cause a huge political uproar.
  • LowcarbNY
    LowcarbNY Posts: 546 Member
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    America is run by old, rich, white men who don't like women.

    There you go! Glad you finally showed your true radical, misandrist colors.

    Anyone who does not support free contraception, free abortion, free child care, free mamograms, free parental leave, or potty parity 100% of the time is engaged in a War On Women. How trite.
  • beckajw
    beckajw Posts: 1,738 Member
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    I just view sex as a choice. I pay for birth control because it's a choice I made. I have no problem doing so. I do not believe that free birth control will cut down on the number of unwanted pregnancies or the number of welfare babies.

    I'm okay with free birth control--I just don't believe it's a right.

    I would rather see free cancer meds, free insulin, etc. Medications that people actually need and are not simply a choice.
  • beckajw
    beckajw Posts: 1,738 Member
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    What good is free BC without free Viagra?
    Viagra is already covered by health insurance. Because apparently men are allowed to have sex, but not women who don't want children, acne, or irregular/heavy periods.

    Not really a valid argument. BC is covered by health insurance too. It's also available very cheap/free from planned parenthood. You seem to be mixing two concepts (free vs. covered).

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