Health Overhaul May Bring Free Birth Control

[Kadie]

Health Overhaul May Bring Free Birth Control
by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

October 31, 2010

Fifty years after the pill, another birth control revolution may be on the horizon: free contraception for women in the U.S., thanks to the new health care law.

That could start a shift toward more reliable — and expensive — forms of birth control that are gaining acceptance in other developed countries.

But first, look for a fight over social mores.

snip...
For many medical and public health experts, there's no debate.

"There is clear and incontrovertible evidence that family planning saves lives and improves health," said obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. David Grimes, an international family planning expert who teaches medicine at the University of North Carolina. "Contraception rivals immunization in dollars saved for every dollar invested. Spacing out children allows for optimal pregnancies and optimal child rearing. Contraception is a prototype of preventive medicine."

But U.S. Catholic bishops say pregnancy is a healthy condition, not an illness. In comments filed with the Department of Health and Human Services, the bishops say they oppose any requirement to cover contraceptives or sterilization as preventive care.

more...
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130953478&ft=1&f=1001

[Sal Minella]

1. "pregnancy is a healthy condition" when the baby can be born to

parents having the wherewithal to feed and clothe it --

But I wouldn't expect this concept to be within the grasp of a bunch of guys running around in red satin dresses.

[BadgerKid]

4. Back in the day, the village would pitch in.

Or so I imagine.

Also, infant mortality rates were likely a bit greater 2,000 years ago than they are today (in the developed world). Procreation isn't a matter of survival today (in the developed world). But even as a matter of a few hundred years ago, having children meant survival because your bigger family could work the farm more efficiently.

[EC]

2. This has to stop

why is the church's position even considered when laws are written? The reason I left the Cathlic church in the first place was over birth control...other than the fairy tales told every Sunday..

[felix_numinous]

3. Birth control is a human rights issue

and not a religious one. Religion is invading every decision being made about health, welfare and education, which inherently involve the whole population whether they are religious or not. Laws about human rights must be inclusive to represent all Americans.

RW christians want to be the privileged class with more representation than other groups, they are just using their shared ideology of domination over nature to join ranks with the rich powerful groups.

[Merlot]

5. Why do catholic bishops even have a say in this?

Not everyone in America is catholic.

Free birth control is a good thing for those who want it. Those who don't can leave it.

[Cleobulus]

7. I wouldn't even use that as an argument, these Bishops aren't...

Health care professionals, on that basis alone their opinions don't matter. Indeed they aren't professionals in anything.

[Book Lover]

6. When it comes to contraception, can we all agree to ignore what the virgins have to say? (nm)