Users of The Pill don’t feel the love

Malia Mason received some disheartening news last November, causing her to scramble for… Malia Mason received some disheartening news last November, causing her to scramble for money. She will be facing a similar problem this fall for the same reason: the increased cost of birth control.

Many student health and other clinics across the country lost discounts on contraceptives and other prescription drugs in January when a federal law intended to shrink national debt took effect.

The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 was introduced to save almost $40 billion over five years from programs like Medicaid.

Manufacturers of birth control pills now have to pay more money to participate in these spending programs, so they cut costs elsewhere – especially at student health clinics.

After finding out about the impending price increase last year, Mason, who is primarily on the Pill for health reasons, decided to fill the remainder of the year’s prescriptions before the price rose-something more easily decided than actually done.

“It was tough. I worked 35 hours a week while taking classes, and it took at least a month’s pay to cover the cost of about seven months worth of birth control,” Mason said. “I also pay rent for an apartment, so it was difficult allocating the funds to the different needs in my life.”

Mason spent a total of $180 last year on birth control. This year, she will be paying over $500 for Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo.

Many girls who stocked up like Mason are either going to have to make changes to their birth control habits in the future, fight legislation or begin to pay the much higher price for birth control.

Jaime Sidani, the health educator at Pitt’s Student Health Services, offered advice on a few different options.

She offers information sessions so that students can talk to her about different birth control options. Sidani has a “contraceptive kit,” which is a box filled with different types of birth control, including products like the NuvaRing. Sidani is willing to answer students’ questions – like switching from a name brand to a generic pill.

Mason looked into the generic version of her Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo but eventually decided against it.

Another option that Sidani suggested is to get the boyfriend involved.

Sidani said that couples should discuss a joint payment of birth control before they even enter a sexual relationship. That way, the responsibility never has to be shifted because it was equal to begin with.

If her money situation becomes tight enough, Mason’s boyfriend has agreed to help.

“She brought it up when we first found out about the raise in price, but we agreed not to talk about it until the time came in November,” said Bryan Sebrell, who has been dating Mason for a year.

“I agreed to help her if she really needed the help, but she’s very independent and likes to do things herself,” Sebrell said. “I am here if she needs me.”

Mason viewed the situation as her own, though.

“I jokingly tell him he needs to help pay for both of our sanities’ sake, but it’s mostly my issue,” Mason said.

Mason’s preferred option would be for her gynecologist to write a note to her insurance company stating that her usage is for medical reasons, but she has doubts about receiving coverage.

Another way to change birth control habits is to switch clinics.

Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania was not affected by the act, and both insured and uninsured students can purchase the Pill there.

The costs of birth control at Planned Parenthood vary, depending on a sliding-fee scale, said Erika Fricke, the vice president for public affairs for Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania.

If you have a high income, the maximum price for Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo is $20 per pack compared to the $42 Mason spends at Student Health. For something like the NuvaRing, the maximum price is $28 each month.

Fricke stressed that girls shouldn’t stay quiet, though.

“If students are enraged, which I’m sure that they might be, I encourage them to call their representatives and senators,” she said. “It’s something that is very easy for the government to fix.”

The Campus Women’s Organization is taking action against the act. They have formed a committee to keep watch on the act and legislation that develops in response to it such as the Fair Medicaid Drug Payment Act of 2007 and the Saving our Community Pharmacies Act of 2007. Both would allow for student health clinics to qualify for low prices, according to CWO President Shannon Black.

Letters and petitions to the government will be available at their meetings, events and office until the two proposed acts have been decided.