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Bobby Jindal: Birth control should be over the counter
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, a Republican and a potential 2016 presidential candidate, has a solution for the GOP's birth control problem: Make it over the counter.
"The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists announced its support last month for selling oral contraceptives over the counter without a prescription in the United States," Jindal writes in Friday's Wall Street Journal opinion section. "I agree with this opinion, which if embraced by the federal government would take contraception out of the political arena." Jindal also writes that prescription birth control drives up costs with unnecessary doctors' visits.
"Democrats have wrongly accused Republicans of being against birth control and against allowing people to use it. That's hogwash," Jindal wrote. "But Republicans do want to protect those who have religious beliefs that are opposed to contraception."
Democrats used Republicans' objections to the mandatory birth control coverage portion of Obama's health care law as a way to turn women voters against conservative candidates this election season. Their objections, Democrats argued, were part of a larger "war on women" fought by Republican lawmakers. (A "war" that worsened when conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh called law student Sandra Fluke a "****" for testifying that she believes contraception should be covered by insurance plans.)
Republicans said they were simply worried that some employers' religious freedom would be infringed upon if their hehttp://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/bobby-jindal-birth-control-over-counter-150448566.htmlalth care plans had to include contraception.
"The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists announced its support last month for selling oral contraceptives over the counter without a prescription in the United States," Jindal writes in Friday's Wall Street Journal opinion section. "I agree with this opinion, which if embraced by the federal government would take contraception out of the political arena." Jindal also writes that prescription birth control drives up costs with unnecessary doctors' visits.
"Democrats have wrongly accused Republicans of being against birth control and against allowing people to use it. That's hogwash," Jindal wrote. "But Republicans do want to protect those who have religious beliefs that are opposed to contraception."
Democrats used Republicans' objections to the mandatory birth control coverage portion of Obama's health care law as a way to turn women voters against conservative candidates this election season. Their objections, Democrats argued, were part of a larger "war on women" fought by Republican lawmakers. (A "war" that worsened when conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh called law student Sandra Fluke a "****" for testifying that she believes contraception should be covered by insurance plans.)
Republicans said they were simply worried that some employers' religious freedom would be infringed upon if their hehttp://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/bobby-jindal-birth-control-over-counter-150448566.htmlalth care plans had to include contraception.
Glad to see you out of the doghouse, R...... must have really been a huge offense to take this long....... LOL
There are so many different typed of BC on the market, that I'm sure some would not be safe to put OTC. I'd think they'd want to start with the oldest, safest, most basic ones and go from there.
I agree with keeping them behind the counter and logging purchases, like they do with some other meds.
There are so many different typed of BC on the market, that I'm sure some would not be safe to put OTC. I'd think they'd want to start with the oldest, safest, most basic ones and go from there.
I agree with keeping them behind the counter and logging purchases, like they do with some other meds.
Good to see you out of the doghouse R! Took ya long enuff! LOL
Hey, its a start! Right? Maybe they can work it out. Altho this doesnt effect this old one at all, maybe they can make something like this work.
Hey, its a start! Right? Maybe they can work it out. Altho this doesnt effect this old one at all, maybe they can make something like this work.
My wife said Wal-Mart does sell some BC as low as $9.00. She said changing to OC should lower the cost but some will probably never be sold without a Prescription. She is not familiar with this but will ask one of the Pharmacist for his opinion.
Yes, that would probably work. But then I ask how it will be paid for. Now, as a prescription, insurance covers it. OTC and it will be out of pocket. I also think that a doctor needs to prescribe to each individual user.
I mean, condoms are OTC. Pregnancy still happens.
I mean, condoms are OTC. Pregnancy still happens.
"If there's a will, there's a way".....
Nice idea, el. That's the way the morning after BC pills are sold also.
There's ways they could do something like that a little safer.
There's ways they could do something like that a little safer.
Put the different varieties of pills behind the counter at the pharmacy-counter, and educate the pharmacists?
Kinda like what they do with the Sudafed and stuff like that, that they keep behind the counter.
It's all considered OTC, but it's logged each time you buy it.
Make it THAT kind of thing, so it'll truly be "OTC", but the pharmacist will help with dispensing.
Just a thought.
Kinda like what they do with the Sudafed and stuff like that, that they keep behind the counter.
It's all considered OTC, but it's logged each time you buy it.
Make it THAT kind of thing, so it'll truly be "OTC", but the pharmacist will help with dispensing.
Just a thought.
LOL!! I hear that!
Course, I know the doghouse well too!
Course, I know the doghouse well too!
LOL!!
My husband spends a lot more time in the dog house than my dog ever has . . .
R must really be in the doghouse! Or maybe he is still in the making up phase of it all. rofl
Jindal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have started to tout him for the ticket in 2016 and his is not disappointing. Love him.
"I'll ask her when she starts speaking to me again. LOL" Oooppps!!
" I'll ask her when she starts speaking to me again. LOL. I don't know why, because I'm such a Ray of Sunshine. "
uh oh...lol...Bad Boy!
uh oh...lol...Bad Boy!
That would be great! Keep us posted eh? Good idea barb!
My wife works in the Pharmacy at Wal-Mart. I'll ask her when she starts speaking to me again. LOL. I don't know why, because I'm such a Ray of Sunshine.
It is definitely a starting point, and just for a little brain storming, while there are a lot of things to work out, maybe they could start slowly and just put the most "innocent" of the oral bc's on the OTC market, or run trials in certain areas, like some companies do when they bring out new products.
I do agree that having bc's OTC, would make it easier for people to get them, but as sm said, you have to pay out of pocket for them vs insurance paying. Maybe some pharmacies could run them on the "free" list like they do some antibiotics; or Walmart could put them on their $4 list? One of the antibiotics I use regularly is on my pharmacy's free list - how does that work? Do they get reimbursed by the government to give away those things?
I do agree that having bc's OTC, would make it easier for people to get them, but as sm said, you have to pay out of pocket for them vs insurance paying. Maybe some pharmacies could run them on the "free" list like they do some antibiotics; or Walmart could put them on their $4 list? One of the antibiotics I use regularly is on my pharmacy's free list - how does that work? Do they get reimbursed by the government to give away those things?
And by thinking out of the box, they'll be demonized for it. Damned if you do, damned if you don't!
This is a starting point that everyone on CE has been talking about. Everyone here has been asking "give me something" and when they do they are chastised for it? What gives? It's a starting point and is open to negotiation. The can evolve into something doable. It's a reasonable start.
This is a starting point that everyone on CE has been talking about. Everyone here has been asking "give me something" and when they do they are chastised for it? What gives? It's a starting point and is open to negotiation. The can evolve into something doable. It's a reasonable start.
While, teko's reaction was my initial reaction also, there are PLENTY of equally dangerous risks associated with the existng OTC meds out there, "natural and herbal" remedies too.
You can already buy the "morning after" pill OTC (just one example). I'm sure if something like this went through, obviously, a lot of thought would have to go into what was put on the market..it's not like there would be 50 kinds of OC's and a woman would just have to wing it.
Planned parenthood supplies birth control...and while there are doctor visits involved, when I was younger, my experience was that the "doctor" part was just a formality. I was handed the stuff with not even a brief talk of risks, etc.
If the OB's are backing this...that really makes me think that this could be a possibility. Just from a risk standpoint, and the fact that many people react differently...I don't think is a valid arguement. Not with the stuff that's already out there. They would have to plan it out carefully, obviously.
Lots of meds have started out as Rx only and are now available OTC...from allergy meds like Claritin, to all of the GERD meds (Prilosec, Zantac, etc)...and lots more. There are risks with those meds too.
"It’s in the early stages and I’m not sure what the protocol is. There are still a lot of kinks to work out but it seems that it will come down to The FDA having the final say."
The FDA approval process varies a lot, time-wise. Some things are passed through very quickly (like the recent at home HIV tests..that was accomplished very quickly). With something like this...I would imagine it would take at least a year or so. I'll be watching,...very interesting.
What I see is a Republican trying to make this thing work. "
I Agree R....”
It's still in the debate stage. I'm Glad to see that you are one of the few that refused to get bogged down in the B.S. and see the progress. Impressive!
I agree! I don't think it's fair to demonize this right off the bat...or assume there's all these underlying selfish reasons for the idea. I think it's a great example of progress and compromise. This should be celebrated by the left...in the very least...because ideas are being thrown around. Sometimes, it's just lose-lose...damned if you do, damned if you don't. Whether or not this passes, it's a good thing, just in terms of some on the right trying to think outside the box a bit.
You can already buy the "morning after" pill OTC (just one example). I'm sure if something like this went through, obviously, a lot of thought would have to go into what was put on the market..it's not like there would be 50 kinds of OC's and a woman would just have to wing it.
Planned parenthood supplies birth control...and while there are doctor visits involved, when I was younger, my experience was that the "doctor" part was just a formality. I was handed the stuff with not even a brief talk of risks, etc.
If the OB's are backing this...that really makes me think that this could be a possibility. Just from a risk standpoint, and the fact that many people react differently...I don't think is a valid arguement. Not with the stuff that's already out there. They would have to plan it out carefully, obviously.
Lots of meds have started out as Rx only and are now available OTC...from allergy meds like Claritin, to all of the GERD meds (Prilosec, Zantac, etc)...and lots more. There are risks with those meds too.
"It’s in the early stages and I’m not sure what the protocol is. There are still a lot of kinks to work out but it seems that it will come down to The FDA having the final say."
The FDA approval process varies a lot, time-wise. Some things are passed through very quickly (like the recent at home HIV tests..that was accomplished very quickly). With something like this...I would imagine it would take at least a year or so. I'll be watching,...very interesting.
What I see is a Republican trying to make this thing work. "
I Agree R....”
It's still in the debate stage. I'm Glad to see that you are one of the few that refused to get bogged down in the B.S. and see the progress. Impressive!
I agree! I don't think it's fair to demonize this right off the bat...or assume there's all these underlying selfish reasons for the idea. I think it's a great example of progress and compromise. This should be celebrated by the left...in the very least...because ideas are being thrown around. Sometimes, it's just lose-lose...damned if you do, damned if you don't. Whether or not this passes, it's a good thing, just in terms of some on the right trying to think outside the box a bit.
"It’s in the early stages and I’m not sure what the protocol is. There are still a lot of kinks to work out"
I agree...I do like this law. Now, if they figure out what types of Birth Control can be OTC that would be a start. The rest of the other types that cannot be OTC will continue to be handled by a woman's Obstetrician. I think it could work along with what is in place in the ACA.
I agree...I do like this law. Now, if they figure out what types of Birth Control can be OTC that would be a start. The rest of the other types that cannot be OTC will continue to be handled by a woman's Obstetrician. I think it could work along with what is in place in the ACA.
“Yeah, this really is not a bad idea. Wonder how much of a chance it would have to really pass?”
It’s in the early stages and I’m not sure what the protocol is. There are still a lot of kinks to work out but it seems that it will come down to The FDA having the final say.
Easier access to oral contraceptives would reduce the rate of unintended pregnancies, which has not changed in the past 20 years and costs taxpayers an estimated $11.1 billion annually, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
"But it really comes down to the Food and Drug Administration's decision and choice for what they're going to do about birth control pills," said Dr. Tamara Helfer of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists -- District VI, which includes Minnesota, six other states and two Canadian provinces.
It’s in the early stages and I’m not sure what the protocol is. There are still a lot of kinks to work out but it seems that it will come down to The FDA having the final say.
Easier access to oral contraceptives would reduce the rate of unintended pregnancies, which has not changed in the past 20 years and costs taxpayers an estimated $11.1 billion annually, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
"But it really comes down to the Food and Drug Administration's decision and choice for what they're going to do about birth control pills," said Dr. Tamara Helfer of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists -- District VI, which includes Minnesota, six other states and two Canadian provinces.
One of the many reasons I like Jindal. He's not your typical republican. He's not afraid to leave religion out of politics.
"not as innocent as aspirin" and then mention "robo tripping".... Cripes.. Yeah, go ahead and eat about 10 aspirin and get hit in the nose or nick youself cutting fruit and see what happens.... nice and innocent that aspirin stuff is.
"not as innocent as aspirin" and then mention "robo tripping".... Cripes.. Yeah, go ahead and eat about 10 aspirin and get hit in the nose or nick youself cutting fruit and see what happens.... nice and innocent that aspirin stuff is.
I responded to the article which did not have that little tidbit in it. And how does it handle people who take other forms of contraception, like the iud, merina, injections, etc.
Like I said earlier, these things are not as innocent as aspirin and need to be monitored. If they could get to a point where something like that worked, it might be good, but I see a whole lot of work to do before that could even be possible.
There is too many questions and not enuff answers at this time.
Like I said earlier, these things are not as innocent as aspirin and need to be monitored. If they could get to a point where something like that worked, it might be good, but I see a whole lot of work to do before that could even be possible.
There is too many questions and not enuff answers at this time.
If you buy it OTC, you pay out of pocket, right? That's what happened with my allergy medication. You can then go through the steps of filing it for flexible spending (your own money you set aside for health care costs) and maybe they'll have some type of system set up to send in paperwork for some type of reimbursement. However, true to form of most people, that doesn't get done. (the theory behind stalling in insurance companies or denying something. Most can win an appeal but don't follow up or take care of the paper work).
So, unless they come up with an easy way to have it paid for---- women won't necessarily like this. Just my thoughts.
Guess they could do a voucher program like food stamps. But they'd have to get the voucher from doctors. Which is like a perscription and then it is the same old thing of going to the doctor. (which when it comes to taking a systemic hormone, I think is probably a good idea.)
So, unless they come up with an easy way to have it paid for---- women won't necessarily like this. Just my thoughts.
Guess they could do a voucher program like food stamps. But they'd have to get the voucher from doctors. Which is like a perscription and then it is the same old thing of going to the doctor. (which when it comes to taking a systemic hormone, I think is probably a good idea.)
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