Why doesn't it cover birth control? It's a prescription medication like any other...

Or is it that it just doesn't cover particular kinds: i.e. injections vs. the pill?

Originally Posted by goodnews.inc

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However, sex does not fall into that bracket because it's a decision we each make ourselves.

If we had an HIV pandemic or were uneducated about sex, such as places in India and Africa, I'd strongly oppose this measure.
However we're not uneducated about sex, we don't believe that sleeping with virgins cures AIDS and we have access to contraceptives, albeit more costly.
Our scenario isn't terrible and I know this may come across as very **** retentive and I don't intend it to be; I'm just saying that they're doing us a favour by offering these things in the first place and if they cease, then they're ceasing a privilege, not a right.

I completely agree with you. This is simply an inconvenience at the most. if you are willing to become sexually active, you should also be willing to take the necessary precautions to keep both you and you partner safe. I think its simple, next time you're at Fortinos or Metro doing groceries just pick up a pack of condoms or go to the Shoppers Drug Mart next door to grab the pill. People who aren't in university pick up their stuff at full price all the time, we just had the privilege of the service our school provided.

Originally Posted by twinny1

please remember that SHEC is there and provides free condoms, so BE SAFE (just don't abuse that!)

SHEC should partner up with the Stag Shop and have a "fun condom" sale

Something about priveledges vs rights comes to mind. The right to contraceptives hasn't been terminated...the priveledge of cheap, 'just around the corner' contraceptives is what's been terminated. <<<

I agree, 100%. I don't think anyone is arguing that this is an earth-shatteringly awful occurence. I'm not even arguing that they should continue to provide BC at a loss.

However a lot of things we enjoy on campus are a privelege, not a right and I can still see a lot of people being pretty pissed off if they were taken away. We're students. We like convenience.

@danielle - I'm fairly certain it's all birth control. I went to use the Mac health plan at the shoppers in Uni Plaza and they told me it wasn't covered... luckily I'm still on my dad's plan until I turn 22, but still... (or it could just be Shoppers has no clue what they're doing)

A lot of heath insurance doesn't cover the pill because it's not really 'health care'. Taking birth control is something you do to prevent pregnancy, not to really treat or prevent an illness. Obviously some people do use bc to regulate their cycles and other medical reasons but I don't think providers differentiate...

This is why I hate the common argument 'Well Viagra is covered, why isn't Birth Control?' It's because Viagra actually treats a medical condition.

That's not necessarily true though.

The pill is also prescribed as an acne medication, a method to make sure females ovulate regularly, and to relieve PMS/PMDD symptoms.

I know several girls who started taking the pill at 13/14 because they would be physically sick (and very much so) from the effects of their cycle.

Originally Posted by lorend

That's not necessarily true though.

The pill is also prescribed as an acne medication, a method to make sure females ovulate regularly, and to relieve PMS/PMDD symptoms.

I know several girls who started taking the pill at 13/14 because they would be physically sick (and very much so) from the effects of their cycle.

Yes I know, that's why I stated in my post that some people DO take the pill for medical reasons. Health insurance providers just don't seem to recognize this other aspect to the pill. Also, that group probably constitutes a small minority of people who take the pill.

Personally, I'm very wary of how the pill affects your body. It can't be good to mess with your hormones over years and years.

Originally Posted by adrian

No More Cheap, Accessible Contraceptives: Why?
User Opinion

BY ADRIAN BURLACU

From the site of the McMaster Health Centre:

As of Friday, May 1st 2009, the Campus Health Centre will no longer be selling contraceptive products - oral contraceptive pills, the contraceptive ring, and the contraceptive patch. Students who presently have their birth control prescriptions filled at the Campus Health Clinic should call into the clinic (ext.27700) for direction, and prescription transfer to another pharmacy. Note: The emergency contraceptive pill is still available at the clinic at low cost sale, with a medical appointment.

I believe this to be a step in the wrong direction. This does not benefit students at all. The only reason that I've heard for this is that not enough students were taking advantage of the products. I believe this was an invaluable service provided by the university to its students, and should not be stopped.

i dont understand why people are saying this is a step in the wrong direction? is this university promoting pre-marital sex or what? maybe this will make students think twice about their actions

I daresay that's a tad ignorant. First off not everyone thinks premarital sex is bad or somethign to be ashamed of. Second of all, nobody who sells contraceptives is promoting sex. It will happen regardless for people, may as well be safe. Frankly your reply makes me sad, I thought young people such as ourselves were starting to leave the judgemental tendencies behind(in the 50s).

i am obviously not making any judgements but thats just my opinion. isnt that the whole point of a forum? if you dont like my opinion, keep it to yourself. there is no need to accuse me of being judgemental. clearly u havent left the judgemental tendencies behind (in the 50s). im not saying premrital sex is bad or anything but rather that it tends to serve as a safety net in the minds of most young adults and that encourages them (to an extent) to have premarital sex, and in some cases, runining their lives by getting the girl pregnant. i dont think my opinion is ignorant at all. to each their own.

and i do agree with you in the sense that sex = choice = condoms or no condoms = availability at your fingertips (or the tips of other things..) haha.. but yeah. i do agree with you but im just saying that in some ways this can be good which restricts girls getting knocked up and then getting abortions

Before things get heated, since this is kinda the perfect time for people to start jumping at each others' throats, I'd like to point out that to really verify whether or not someone is 'ignorant' or their beliefs/opinions are 'silly,' you must put yourself into their shoes and take their assumptions at face value.

You, personally, with your own assumptions, may think it's ignorant or that someone has archaic / barbaric / you name it, beliefs. But it doesn't mean the other person, whose opinion you may personally find silly, hasn't given the issue a lot of thought and come to what in their opinion, is a reasoned conclusion. (This philosophy is the topic of a book I'm working on. Ironically, I take a mathematical approach using Formal Systems)

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As for my personal opinion on the matter (so please don't take it too seriously, or get offended), though I'm not going to go around wagging my finger at everyone...I think I try to be a peaceful guy if I do say so myself...I do feel a lot of, perhaps even most, people who have casual sex are misguided. Basing my opinions on my own experiences and 'gut instincts' in regards to certain issues, I feel as though this 'freedom' that everyone is so bent out of shape over, is so important because quite frankly, it feels good. I'm of the opinion that the modern society has a bit too much of a quote unquote "feel-good attitude." The Simpsons ridiculed the idea, by introducing the whole Brad Goodman "Feel Good Rainbow" thing and exaggerating it (if anyone remember the episode, the theme is "I do what I feel like"), but I think this is a bit problematic.

In short, when people start chasing after what 'feels good' so fervently**, their priorities have drastically shifted from what, in my opinion, would be a healthy balance. I think I've had a lot more balance in my life since I found one single partner to be with.

**Note that I'm not accusing anyone specific of this, and I'm also not assuming casual sex is responsible for it.

The way I see it, it's almost like a chicken/egg, or disease/symptom argument. Is Casual sex the cause of this inclined notion of doing what feels good at all costs? Most likely it isn't (again, in my opinion)...but is it an effect of this society's shifting mindset toward the pleasurable? Is it an indicator?

Well, I thought about what you said.

Now, look at your initial post, at the question: "is this university promoting pre-marital sex or what?" You do not state an opinion in this question(although I deduce you're probably not OK with pre-marital sex). You instead ask this question in a very accusatory tone. That question and its implications is what I call ignorant and judgmental.

I find the statement that someone who has birth control available more likely to engage in unsafe sex very ignorant as well. I think most people can make decisions about their bodies and their circumstances well enough, without needing the fear of unwanted pregnancy. Remember we are adults now

Last, If you're on birth control and you're taking it properly, you wont accidentally get pregnant and have abortions, which is the whole point.

Originally Posted by Mowicz

Before things get heated, since this is kinda the perfect time for people to start jumping at each others' throats, I'd like to point out that to really verify whether or not someone is 'ignorant' or their beliefs/opinions are 'silly,' you must put yourself into their shoes and take their assumptions at face value.

You, personally, with your own assumptions, may think it's ignorant or that someone has archaic / barbaric / you name it, beliefs. But it doesn't mean the other person, whose opinion you may personally find silly, hasn't given the issue a lot of thought and come to what in their opinion, is a reasoned conclusion.

Lol, true. Time to take a break
Also, was a pleasure reading your opinion on the matter