As the GOP attacks on birth control increase, a new paper demonstrates its economic value
by Amanda Marcotte at Salon
http://www.salon.com/2017/06/07/as-gop-attacks-on-birth-control-increase-new-paper-demonstrates-its-economic-value/
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“The piece I think is often missed in the discussion around reproductive health care is that’s not about changes in contraceptive use and birth control,” she explained. “It’s really about changes in women’s ability and families’ ability to invest in their careers and livelihood.”
The totality of the literature points to the conclusion that women who have a dependable and affordable source of contraception — such as through insurance or a federally subsidized program like Planned Parenthood — experience cumulative positive effects. It’s common sense, but in an age of attacks on contraception, it bears repeating: Being able to control when they give birth, and knowing that they have that control, makes it easier for women to go to school, get training, vie for promotions and do other things that result in higher lifetime earnings.
As Republicans have increased the number of their attacks on contraception access, through federal programs or private insurance, a talking point has emerged on the right: Women should not expect others, either taxpayers or fellow members of their insurance pool, to “pay for” their contraception. It’s an argument that’s farcical on its face: Women who pay taxes or buy into private insurance are helping subsidize all kinds of health care for others. But contraception’s relationship to sexuality — and especially to female sexuality — makes it easier for conservatives to suggest that it’s not really health care but rather an entertainment expenditure like movie tickets or beer.
(In 2008 former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly said in a rant opposing insurance coverage of birth control: “Do I have to buy you dinner before you use the birth control?” And yes, he argued at the same time that Viagra should be covered.)
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