Think Progress

College students to face higher birth control prices.

College students returning to school this fall “will be greeted by steep increases in one of the few items they have been able to buy cheap: birth control. For years, drug companies sold birth-control pills and other contraceptives to university health services at a big discount.” But due to the Deficit Reduction Act, signed by the President last year, drug companies now have a “disincentive” to offer the discounts to college students.



117 Responses to “College students to face higher birth control prices.”

  1. Kevin says:

    Oh no. They have to pay full price…..the wold will end.


  2. leftcoast says:

    In 1970, at UCSD, it was not offered free. I doubt, seriously, that this will impact unwanted pregnacy. This really is a non-issue TP


  3. Goat Boy says:

    That’s OK, young Republicans don’t have sex……that is, with humans Baaaa….baaaa


  4. Moderate Mary of Maine says:

    This is disgusting. The govt should be paying for all family planning services including abortion. The Bush Admin has rolled back the rights of women to 1950. After he gets another Court appointment, you better a hanger and a nice alley!


  5. Mr. President says:

    Looks like the grass prices will soar next semester!!!


  6. Da Snitch says:

    I will not stop snitchin’


  7. Mr. President says:

    #6 wrong thread, dude.


  8. Zehava says:

    I saw this posted at student health yesterday. I think it’s appalling.


  9. s says:

    Due to the Deficit Reduction Act they have a “disincentive”.

    Well, that’s barbaric.


  10. dlet says:

    TP. Please correct and say “female college students”. Since the burden is on them please give them a little respect.


  11. Jay Randal says:

    Bush wants the female students all barefoot and pregnant. Then their kids used as future cannon fodder in wars to steal OIL like in Iraq.


  12. Jackie says:

    No problems there they can afford it as soon only families with money will be able to afford to go to college. Now some smart students will form their own company with birth control from Canada or Mexico. As we now know those countries get the medication at 90 % off the regular price. Now all these smart college students will have to recall the pills at a cheaper cost then they can buy in the US. All things will work out just find. Only the poor will be left to have abortions for unwanted babies. Look for the Supreme Court to start jailing minorities that either try to buy birth control pills or those who want an abortion. Those young people with rich families will be protected those who are in the Middle Class or poor will have to go to jail.


  13. missmolly says:

    I guess Bush just wants to increase the number of abortions…


  14. Kevin says:

    Comment by Moderate Mary of Maine — July 26, 2007 @ 6:00 pm

    I missed how he has blocked or hinder the privilege to vote. An as an adult you have a responsibility to take care of your own birth control needs. This is a personal responsibility. Not the government.


  15. God Helps Them says:

    So where’s Mr. Pee gonna get the condoms for his momma?


  16. Jack says:

    The Cost of Control
    Congress passes on relief from birth control prices; costs rise at college clinics
    http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2007/07/19/TopStories/The-Cost.Of.Control-2925220.shtml

    “Only two drugs, Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo and the NuvaRing, don’t have generic counterparts.”

    Guess it’s not the end of the world.


  17. had enough says:

    In 1970, at UCSD, it was not offered free. I doubt, seriously, that this will impact unwanted pregnacy. This really is a non-issue TP

    Comment by leftcoast

    It is 2007….This could be a serious issue for those who can not pay…the wealthy are only allowed family planning?


  18. Zehava says:

    I missed how he has blocked or hinder the privilege to vote.
    Comment by Kevin

    Yeah, you missed it because she didn’t say it.


  19. Glenda Beck says:

    So where’s Mr. Pee gonna get the condoms for his momma?
    He works at Chuck E. Cheese. They have vending machines filled with XSM condoms


  20. s says:

    due to the Deficit Reduction Act, signed by the President last year, drug companies now have a “disincentive” to offer the discounts to college students

    Ok, 1. don’t get spunkey if you can’t afford a rubber. 2. TPers always complain about the deficit until we try to cut something ESSENTIAL like The Birth Control Pill Price Reduction Act.


  21. Kevin says:

    It is 2007….This could be a serious issue for those who can not pay…the wealthy are only allowed family planning?

    Comment by had enough — July 26, 2007 @ 6:12 pm

    How much money does it cost not to have sex? Or at least be smart about it. No one is forcing the students (all adults) to have sex. If they want to have sex they are not bared from getting birth control.


  22. Zehava says:

    An as an adult you have a responsibility to take care of your own birth control needs. This is a personal responsibility. Not the government.
    Comment by Kevin

    The students are attempting to take care of their own birth control needs — by going to student health and getting it. I see nothing wrong with lowering the price, if possible. College students aren’t exactly rolling in money, but they are rolling in the hay. That’s reality.


  23. God Helps Them says:

    He works at Chuck E. Cheese. They have vending machines filled with XSM condoms

    Comment by Glenda Beck — July 26, 2007 @ 6:14 pm

    I didn’t mean to imply that Pee himself would use them.

    But they are handy to have in his mommas line of work. :)


  24. Kevin says:

    Yeah, you missed it because she didn’t say it.

    Comment by Zehava — July 26, 2007 @ 6:13 pm

    The Bush Admin has rolled back the rights of women to 1950.
    Comment by Moderate Mary of Maine — July 26, 2007 @ 6:00 pm


  25. LibTeenie says:

    Oh my GOD! (sorry for the religious reference-just skip that part, libs). This is a crime and someone, preferably a republican, must be tried, found guilty, hanged, buried, dug-up, shot and reburied!

    And to think that the 38th Amendment to the Constitution specifically deals with the government providing free wiener jackets to the populace.

    Just another dagger in the heart of FREEDOM!

    What do you say, have a march? We can all wear condom costumes and spray Barbasolâ„¢ above our heads.


  26. Mr. President says:

    Who cares?

    Doesn’t PlannedMurderhood give out free condoms?


  27. Hedley Lamarr says:

    How will higher drug prices for students reduce the deficit?

    The drug companies kick back to the GOP, not the Treasury.


  28. PartyDog says:

    This is certainly going to put a kink in the one job that liberal college men use to get through school, that of a paid party twink at DFL fundraisers.


  29. leftcoast says:

    #20 It is 2007….This could be a serious issue for those who can not pay…the wealthy are only allowed family planning?

    Comment by had enough
    I’m not opposed to assistance but we didn’t have the money then to pay for it. We just managed.


  30. m12 says:

    Ok, 1. don’t get spunkey if you can’t afford a rubber. 2. TPers always complain about the deficit until we try to cut something ESSENTIAL like The Birth Control Pill Price Reduction Act.

    Yeah, a lot of colleges hand out free rubbers.

    Anyway, here are the whining liberals asking for more subsidies, and whining about the Deficit!


  31. Mr. President'sleftnut says:

    25: Unfortunately, not to your mom and dad.


  32. LibTeenie says:

    Doesn’t PlannedMurderhood give out free condoms?

    No, its not good for the abortion business. Easier just to have unprotected sex and then waddle in to PMH to take care of the ‘lump of tissue’ that mysteriously appeared in your abdomen a few weeks later.


  33. Zehava says:

    The Bush Admin has rolled back the rights of women to 1950.
    Comment by Moderate Mary of Maine — July 26, 2007 @ 6:00 pm
    Comment by Kevin

    Women could vote in 1950, dingleberry!


  34. Zehava says:

    Doesn’t PlannedMurderhood give out free condoms?
    Comment by Mr. President

    Any girl who depends on a guy for birth control is called a mother.


  35. LibTeenie says:

    This will certainly help advance Bush’s plan to rid the earth of gay men, though now we will have to fund more teams of stormtroopers to spread the AIDS virus at liberal universities.

    You hearing this, jay? Your message finally got through to me.


  36. m12 says:

    Any girl who depends on a guy for birth control is called a mother.

    Because girls are somehow unable to carry condoms in their pocketbooks?


  37. leftcoast says:

    #16-
    It is 2007….This could be a serious issue for those who can not pay…the wealthy are only allowed family planning?

    Comment by had enough
    In college you better be able to take on the consequences of behavior. We did, and had no more money than today’s students.


  38. leftcoast says:

    Any girl who depends on a guy for birth control is called a mother.

    Comment by Zehava
    Absolutely correct, coming from a guy who knows his faults.


  39. Kevin says:

    Women could vote in 1950, dingleberry!

    Comment by Zehava — July 26, 2007 @ 6:27 pm

    What rights has he hindered?

    Any girl who depends on a guy for birth control is called a mother.

    Comment by Zehava — July 26, 2007 @ 6:29 pm

    So the women only have babies because they didn’t want to????


  40. Jeannie See says:

    Good thing that I’m out of College and my Husband shoots blanks.


  41. Daryll says:

    I thank the Lord for the best President ever, George Bush. The President signed an act that would hopefully discourage college students from fornicating. They should spend their idol time studying for exams. During my college days, I joined a university group called Youth for Christ. Most of my dorm mates attended Bible Study, weekly. We held constant prayer vigils for our nation. We did not have time to entertain sexual thoughts. This is why more young adults should attend evangelical colleges like Oral Roberts.


  42. Kevin says:

    Good thing that I’m out of College and my Husband shoots blanks.

    Comment by Jeannie See — July 26, 2007 @ 6:33 pm

    agreed.


  43. s says:

    And any girl who has sex with someone other than her husband is called… …something else.

    Comment by Zehava — July 26, 2007 @ 6:29 pm


  44. koolmoedee says:

    ——————–

    I approve of anything that pisses off Feminists ….

    Thanks Goddess Feminists don’t breed.

    ——————–


  45. m12'sbrain says:

    35: “Depends” is the operative word, numbnuts.


  46. God says:

    40: Do you spend your “idle” time worshipping “idols’?


  47. leftcoast says:

    Comment by Daryll-
    Daryll, I’m sorry,but this is so naive. And I’m a Christian and belonged to Campus Crusade and Youth for Christ. You were not listening to well. But, I don’t mean that badly. We need to talk.


  48. Zehava says:

    Because girls are somehow unable to carry condoms in their pocketbooks?
    Comment by m12

    That’s not actually depending on the guy, is it? A girl who does that is probably on birth control.


  49. totwotoo says:

    46: I am listening to a well or I am listening too well?


  50. Zehava says:

    So the women only have babies because they didn’t want to????
    Comment by Kevin

    You’re too stupid to breathe.


  51. s says:

    BTW, my post #42 unintentionally appeared to attribute the comment to Zehava.

    That was not the case and I appologize.


  52. Zehava says:

    And any girl who has sex with someone other than her husband is called… …something else.
    Comment by s

    Human? How did humanity survive before the idea of marriage?


  53. Jeannie See says:

    #43: pssst, I’m a feminist and I have two sons. Where do you people come from?


  54. leftcoast says:

    46: I am listening to a well or I am listening too well?

    Comment by totwotoo
    May you listen to the well of depth.


  55. Zehava says:

    Thanks Goddess Feminists don’t breed.
    Comment by koolmoedee

    I’ve been a feminist since I was 12.

    I have two sons.


  56. Mr. President says:

    Doesn’t PlannedMurderhood give out free condoms?

    No, its not good for the abortion business. Easier just to have unprotected sex and then waddle in to PMH to take care of the ‘lump of tissue’ that mysteriously appeared in your abdomen a few weeks later.

    Comment by LibTeenie — July 26, 2007 @ 6:26 pm
    ————————

    Oh yeah!

    I forgot.


  57. labdad95 says:

    Because the drug companies just don’t make enough profit…..


  58. Zehava says:

    #43: pssst, I’m a feminist and I have two sons. Where do you people come from?
    Comment by Jeannie See

    Yay, Jeannie!

    We feminists don’t hate men.


  59. Egreggious says:

    I’ve been a feminist since I was 12.

    I have two sons.

    Comment by Zehava — July 26, 2007 @ 6:41 pm

    You didn’t have them before you were 12, did you? :D


  60. Zehava says:

    Oh yeah!
    I forgot.
    Comment by Mr. President

    That’s why girls shouldn’t depend on guys for birth control


  61. Mr. President says:

    Any girl who depends on a guy for birth control is called a mother.

    Comment by Zehava — July 26, 2007 @ 6:29 pm
    —————————-
    Okay.

    How does that pertain to my question about PlannedMURDERhood?


  62. Egreggious says:

    I’m a feminist and I’m a guy.


  63. leftcoast says:

    #43: pssst, I’m a feminist and I have two sons. Where do you people come from?

    Comment by Jeannie See

    I have a son. And he has been to Iraq already and I don’t want him to leave us. I’ve been to Viet Nam, and I’m glad to be with you, and sad to have left my friends.


  64. s says:

    Human? How did humanity survive before the idea of marriage?

    Comment by Zehava — July 26, 2007 @ 6:40 pm

    Yes, I suppose human was befor marriage. But so was animal.

    Now days, we can prefer to act above the animal, or not.


  65. Egreggious says:

    That’s why girls shouldn’t depend on guys for birth control

    Comment by Zehava — July 26, 2007 @ 6:44 pm

    Heh.


  66. Egreggious says:

    Now days, we can prefer to act above the animal, or not.

    Comment by s — July 26, 2007 @ 6:45 pm

    I don’t like it when the trolls start talking about “acting” above the animal.


  67. leftcoast says:

    I’m a feminist and I’m a guy.

    Comment by Egreggious
    I respect your openess. I like women too. But, I’m also aware of the stats. They are a hell of lot smarter than us guys.


  68. Pat says:

    #40 Daryll…your idiotic post reminded me of a joke. What do you call two queers named Bob?

    Oral Roberts


  69. Mr. President says:

    They are a hell of lot smarter than us guys.

    Comment by leftcoast — July 26, 2007 @ 6:48 pm

    ——————————————————–
    Wow.

    Who would have thought? A sexist remark on TP.

    “Progressive” indeed.


  70. m12 says:

    That’s not actually depending on the guy, is it? A girl who does that is probably on birth control.

    And given that PP hands them out for free, please explain how college girls who afford all that booze can’t afford to take osme free rubbers.


  71. Zehava says:

    You didn’t have them before you were 12, did you? :D
    Comment by Egreggious

    A little after. :)


  72. Mr. President says:

    #69 m12

    Because then there wouldn’t be cause for moral outrage!


  73. Zehava says:

    I’m a feminist and I’m a guy.
    Comment by Egreggious — July 26, 2007 @ 6:44 pm

    Girls love feminist guys.


  74. s says:

    I don’t like it when the trolls start talking about “acting” above the animal.

    Comment by Egreggious — July 26, 2007 @ 6:48 pm

    No Egreggious. I guess you prefer acting below the animal.

    Oink oink oink….


  75. Mr. President says:

    I’m a feminist and I’m a guy.
    Comment by Egreggious — July 26, 2007 @ 6:44 pm

    Hairy girls love feminist guys.


  76. Zehava says:

    Yes, I suppose human was befor marriage. But so was animal.
    Now days, we can prefer to act above the animal, or not.
    Comment by s — July 26, 2007 @ 6:45 pm

    Why do you equate sex with being animalistic?


  77. Zehava says:

    And given that PP hands them out for free, please explain how college girls who afford all that booze can’t afford to take osme free rubbers.
    Comment by m12

    Ridiculous strawman.

    Dismissed.


  78. m12 says:

    I respect your openess. I like women too. But, I’m also aware of the stats. They are a hell of lot smarter than us guys.

    Looking at Margaret Thatcher and Edwards, Obama, and Kucinich, I can see how you come to that conclusion!


  79. Egreggious says:

    They are a hell of lot smarter than us guys.

    Comment by leftcoast — July 26, 2007 @ 6:48 pm

    ——————————————————–
    Wow.

    Who would have thought? A sexist remark on TP.

    “Progressive” indeed.

    Comment by Mr. President — July 26, 2007 @ 6:50 pm

    I second that sexist remark. Sorry to sully TP’s PC threads.


  80. JMOHR says:

    My guess would be that the drug companies are firing a shot over the bow of the public. Screw with our corporate welfare and we will make you pay.


  81. m12 says:

    Comment by Zehava — July 26, 2007 @ 6:55 pm

    Foolish liberal.

    Dismissed.


  82. Zehava says:

    Mr President,

    Assuming you’ve had sex, if a girl told you she was on birth control would you then not wear a condom?


  83. Zehava says:

    They are a hell of lot smarter than us guys.
    Comment by leftcoast — July 26, 2007 @ 6:48 pm

    Women and men have different areas of strength regarding intelligence, I wouldn’t say we’re any smarter. Maybe just more organized. :)


  84. m12 says:

    My guess would be that the drug companies are firing a shot over the bow of the public. Screw with our corporate welfare and we will make you pay.

    Hmm? By pushing unjustified subsidies on these pills, you guys are pushing the corporate welfare!


  85. Egreggious says:

    Hairy girls love feminist guys.

    Comment by Mr. President — July 26, 2007 @ 6:54 pm

    Much wisdom from the hairless one.

    But don’t worry, sweetie, puberty’s just around the corner.


  86. gummitch says:

    Mr President,

    Assuming you’ve had sex, if a girl told you she was on birth control would you then not wear a condom?

    Comment by Zehava

    You’re asking for an incredible imaginative stretch, Z. Blow-up dolls never use birth control.


  87. Mr. President says:

    Z,

    all I’m going to say is, I’m a derrrrrty dog.


  88. Mr. President says:

    Erratum: post #86) “dog” should be “dawg”


  89. Egreggious says:

    all I’m going to say is, I’m a derrrrrty dog.

    Comment by Mr. President — July 26, 2007 @ 7:00 pm

    Thereby explaining s’s animal reference.


  90. gummitch says:

    Z,

    all I’m going to say is, I’m a derrrrrty dog.

    Comment by Mr. President

    It’s OK to wash the dolls, PiPPy. Just don’t use any sharp objects.


  91. ForTruth says:

    If they can afford the books, the rest is easy.

    Do you think alcohol consumption on campus has anything to do with unwanted buns in the oven? How about Fraternities?


  92. katy says:

    College students returning to school this fall “will be greeted by steep increases in … birth control.

    this started the middle of last year for my daughter at UofI…

    but even before that, she would tell of using different kinds…
    as different brands came on the market, the school would
    pass them out… after a while, the girls had to pay…
    it was a marketing tool to get the product out there…

    doesn’t seem like a “disincentive” to me…

    on the plus side – she was able to better discern which
    type was more suited to her needs and physiology…


  93. Barbara says:

    Is anybody interested in knowing exactly what happened? Here it is:

    The law did not state that universities should stop getting low prices, and birth control was not singled out for special treatment. What the DRA did was try to close a perceived loophole in the law that governs pharmaceutical pricing to the government, by which manufacturers are permitted to exempt from determining their lowest or “best” price sales of drugs that were provided at nominal pricing. Normally, mfrs have to give their best price to the state, but it was thought that sales to charitable organizations would be adversely affected if nominal pricing were considered to be the best price. However, the prior law had no limit on who could receive nominal pricing, and although it was intended to benefit charities, there were a few cases in which nominal pricing was made to a commercial entity as a way of avoiding having to give a comparably low price to the government. What the law did was to define the types of organizations that were intended to benefit from nominal pricing, mostly charities. There’s a long list but student health services don’t really fit into any of them. So manufacturers have stopped offering them nominal pricing. It was an unintended consequence.


  94. katy says:

    Do you think alcohol consumption on campus has anything to do with unwanted buns in the oven? How about Fraternities?
    Comment by ForTruth — July 26, 2007 @ 7:02 pm

    yes… yes… duh
    :-)


  95. Zehava says:

    Z,
    all I’m going to say is, I’m a derrrrrty dog.
    Comment by Mr. President — July 26, 2007 @ 7:00 pm

    Virgin.


  96. Zehava says:

    You’re asking for an incredible imaginative stretch, Z. Blow-up dolls never use birth control.
    Comment by gummitch

    Yes, he couldn’t even make up a story. *snort*


  97. LibTeenie says:

    Babs, why did you have to ruin a perfectly good thread that was in the process of being ruined by those of us who didnt do any research and instead started wailing like banshees?


  98. LibTeenie says:

    It’s OK to wash the dolls, PiPPy. Just don’t use any sharp objects.

    Could have used that information ten minutes ago. Thanks for nothin’.


  99. Zehava says:

    So manufacturers have stopped offering them nominal pricing. It was an unintended consequence.
    Comment by Barbara

    Thanks for the info, Barbara. However, the end result is still the same.


  100. s says:

    Women and men have different areas of strength regarding intelligence, I wouldn’t say we’re any smarter. Maybe just more organized. :)
    Comment by Zehava — July 26, 2007 @ 6:58 pm

    That’s why we let you take care of the kitchen.


  101. Mr. President says:

    Virgin.

    Comment by Zehava — July 26, 2007 @ 7:07 pm
    —————–
    ummm… okay.

    Anyway, I answered your question. Did you have a follow up, or was it just a set-up for your witty “insult”?


  102. s says:

    Bush attempt to force reduction in deficit:

    TP decries the cut to Big Pharmaceuticals

    Odd.


  103. Zehava says:

    ummm… okay.

    Anyway, I answered your question. Did you have a follow up, or was it just a set-up for your witty “insult”?

    Comment by Mr. President

    You did not answer my question.


  104. Zehava says:

    That’s why we let you take care of the kitchen.
    Comment by s — July 26, 2007 @ 7:11 pm

    That’s why we let you take care of the trash, and the dog shit in the yard.


  105. Mr. President says:

    You did not answer my question.

    Comment by Zehava — July 26, 2007 @ 7:37 pm
    ———————————
    Well, [I know, it's stupid] but I prefer not to use them.


  106. Zehava says:

    Well, [I know, it’s stupid] but I prefer not to use them.
    Comment by Mr. President — July 26, 2007 @ 7:46 pm

    Girls lie.

    Birth control fails.

    Roll the dice, Daddy.


  107. s says:

    Bush attempt to force reduction in deficit:

    TP decries the cut to Big Pharmaceuticals

    Odd.

    Still odd.


  108. Mr. President says:

    Roll the dice, Daddy.

    Comment by Zehava — July 26, 2007 @ 7:54 pm
    ——————————————————
    I’ll roll the dice with you any day, mommy.


  109. Zehava says:

    I’ll roll the dice with you any day, mommy.
    Comment by Mr. President

    Dream on….


  110. s says:

    Bush attempt to force reduction in deficit:

    TP decries the cut to Big Pharmaceuticals

    Odd.

    Still odd.

    Comment by s — July 26, 2007 @ 8:28 pm

    Third submission… … we all know that means trolls win.


  111. Mr. “I am Gonna Kill Em All, Laura” President says:

    Bush attempt to force reduction in deficit:

    TP decries the cut to Big Pharmaceuticals

    Odd.

    Still odd.

    Comment by s — July 26, 2007 @ 8:28 pm

    Third submission… … we all know that means trolls win.

    Comment by s — July 26, 2007 @ 10:01 pm

    ————–

    Indeed. Trolls win.


  112. Mr. President says:

    Hey!

    That’s better.




  113. Moderation says:

    Oh, all that, and we can’t spend an incredibly minuscule sum each year to make sure that all of our women have complete reproductive control over their bodies? You know, without relying on men to prevent pregnancy?


  114. Mr. President says:

  115. AnthonyMason says:

    Kids in college shouldnt be focusing on sex but rather on their studies. No wonder that a college graduate from Mexico, Cuba, Canada and just about every other european country is worth more than a american college graduate.



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