Sunday May 9, 2010 marked the 50th anniversary of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of the use of the first birth control pill in the United States. This day marks one of the greatest steps forward for women’s health and choice in the last century. A half century later, the ability of women to control their health care decisions is still under fire from conservatives. Despite this assault, a recent poll finds that large majorities of Americans consider the pill to be critical preventive care that should not just be available but should be covered by insurance.
Since the FDA’s approval of the pill on May 9, 1960, the number of women who die as a result of pregnancy each year has dropped by half. During that same period, there was a threefold decline in infant deaths. The number of unplanned pregnancies has also declined. And as access to contraception has increased, the rate of abortion has decreased.
On this historic occasion, Planned Parenthood commissioned a poll by Lake Research Partners to explore American’s views on the pill.
The survey commissioned by Planned Parenthood Federation of America found that:
- Eight out of 10 women (79 percent) consider the birth control pill preventive health care, just like other preventive measures like taking medication for blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as vaccines. Seven out of 10 men (68 percent) agreed that the birth control pill is preventive health care.
- Three out of four women (76 percent) said that the birth control pill is one of the most important medical advances of the last century and has had a positive impact on women’s day-to-day lives.
- Three out of four people (74 percent) favor requiring insurance to cover the birth control pill and other forms of contraception at low or no cost, like they do for other preventive health care measures and medications.
While access to the pill has revolutionized the control women have over their bodies, there is still so much work left to do to make it affordable and available to those who need it.
Health care reform passed by Congress this spring requires insurers to cover preventive care to ensure minimal out-of-pocket cost. The impetus is on the Department of Health and Human Services to determine what qualifies as preventive care essential benefits which must be covered by insurance, and I strongly encourage them to include the oral contraceptive pill and other contraceptives. If Cialis and Viagra are covered by insurance, surely contraception should be as well.
If we can ensure that all women have access to the pill for little out-of-pocket cost, it will make a tremendous difference in the lives of millions of women. The pill is the best kind of preventive medicine: it can help women lead healthier lives with access to quality, affordable health care.