Two years ago, a regulation in the Deficit Reduction Act prohibited pharmaceutical companies from selling birth control to college health centers at discount prices. Costs for birth control rose at schools nationwide. Here at AU, students paid, and continue to pay, between $15 and $35 for their monthly contraceptives. Now, if new legislation passes Congress, the original regulation will be amended and prices will return to 2005 levels.
The legislation change, if passed, represents a significant advancement in the government's approach to family planning methods. As adults with often-limited budgets, sexually active college students deserve a contraceptive option that is available on campus, is high quality and is reasonably priced. Mistakes happen, and by raising the price of birth control, lawmakers are not only legislating social mores but also are raising the risk of another girl getting herself "into trouble" because she cannot afford to pay for birth control.
While the bipartisan nature of the new amendment is an indicator of changing times, it is a shame that Congress took two years to fix such a backward regulation. Congress should work to pass this legislation quickly so prices can return to normal and students can again access safe and affordable birth control options on campus.
