Elaine Jardon has been using the same birth control for two years at a price of $8 per month. Now she has to pay almost $40 a month to get the same prescription.
The large price increase is a direct result of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.
The act that was signed December 2005 is said to reduce spending by $39 billion over the next four years. With $11.2 billion saved from Medicare and Medicaid, this savings directly affected birth control. Manufacturers are now forbidden to sell reduced birth control to university health centers.
“I’m a little upset, but I understand,” Jardon, Overland Park senior, said, “The government didn’t intentionally target college students, but it leaves a lot of people in a tough place.”
Cathy Thrasher, pharmacist in charge at Watkins Health Center, said companies such as Janssen Ortho McNeil and Organon have canceled its contracts with universities. The contracts ended in December.
“Because of the Deficit Reduction Act 2005, these manufacturers decided to no longer offer favorable pricing to university health centers across the nation,” Thrasher said.
The NuvaRing, Desogen, Cyclessa, Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo are the current birth controls effected by this change. Watkins Health Center offered NuvaRing and Desogen for $8 each. The NuvaRing is now $39.70, while Desogen is $40.
While some girls are switching to different and cheaper birth controls, Thrasher recommends looking around at every option available. Generic prescriptions are available on some, and some insurance plans may cover the cost.
“Student Health Services usually has lower prices than retail pharmacies,” Thrasher said, “Our staff would be glad to help the student decide on a primary birth control method. At the appointment, you can discuss your specific needs.”
The birth control prices went up around the nation. The American College Health Association is reportedly trying to figure out ways around the prices.
“Many of the university student health centers belong to the American College Health Association. ACHA is working to resolve this issue,” Thrasher said.
The Daily Pennsylvanian reported a letter was sent by the association’s president to all its members.
“"We are pursuing several means in which we might lessen the impact the [act] will have on your student health services," ACHA President Dorothy Kozlowski wrote in a letter to member organizations this month, “This issue will also be a priority for the ACHA Board of Directors' annual Capitol Hill visit in February 2007,” Mara Gordon reported.
The American College Health Association is not the only group advocating against the price raise. Elaine Jardon wants to start a nationwide campaign against this issue. She is concerned with girls who cannot afford birth control or who do not have insurance to help pay for it.
“I’m fortunate enough to have insurance cover it, but not everyone else is,” Jardon said, “I want to start a letter writing campaign at numerous universities and visit legislatives.”
Anyone interested in helping with funds or letter writing should contact Elaine Jardon starting in April. The funds would help cover stamps, envelopes, and other materials.