Trump Administration rolling back on Birth Control discriminates against women and the institution of child-bearing

When it comes to birth control being rolled back, it is women who suffer the most. The Trump administration’s Health and Human Services (HHS) Division has expanded exemptions to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), requiring that employers’ health care plans no longer provide coverage for no-cost birth control. In doing this, they have singled out women and their benefits. The administration stated that requiring insurance plans to cover birth control imposes a substantial burden to the free exercise of religion guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, and could promote risky sexual behavior among adolescents.

The list of no-cost birth control contains many options, including the combined pill, the contraceptive ring, and the Progestogen-only pill. However, only three proposed options birth control options being blocked can be used by men. Limiting birth control coverage is an attack on women and their families. Birth control services are opportunities for women to receive medical care in case of sexual-health related pains. These services are greatly needed.

The Obama-era Affordable Care Act made contraception an essential standard of care under women’s preventive health care. It was covered under most insurance plans, along with prenatal care, breast exams and well-woman visits. The birth control mandate compelled for-profit employers to cover the full range of contraceptives, including the pill, the intrauterine device, and the Plan B morning-after pill - at no out-of-pocket cost to women. During the Obama era, exemptions for churches and nonprofit religious organizations were made too. Nonprofit religious organizations could opt out of Birth Control coverage. Given this fact, the Trump Administration’s reason as to why the rollback was necessary generates no sympathy.

The demographics show that this will not only affect women, but also their families. More than 55 million women currently have access to free birth control according to data compiled under the Obama administration, affecting the hundreds of thousands of women who currently benefit. According to the National Health Statistics reports, there are more women of childbearing age 15-44 years living under marital or cohabiting status. Many of these women opted for contraceptives, but also have a strong desire to have children. This reflects the needs of women embedded in a milieu promising better and quality life. During the Obama-era, birth control options enabled employers to offer women health care coverage that met their medical needs. There are simply great advantages to women having access to birth control.

Birth control creates an opportunity to have a child when parents are ready. Both the mother  and father are able to engage in all necessary preparations culminating in childbearing. Through counselling and assessment much needed services can be made available.  

Birth control is a  platform where information and support on sexual reproductive health for both females and males can be exchanged. It enables sexually active persons to receive tailored, planned  information, communication, education and other necessary interventions from trained or specialized health providers in order to decide what suits each individual the most when planning a family . It also unlocks possibilities for beneficiaries to participate in planned births, antenatal and postnatal care. This may include all birth control options and attendant medical services for adults as well as teens.

It also ensures both parents have access to services promoting family based sexual health. Parents are able to receive services which impact positively on how they look after themselves and their children. The  knowledge regarding birth control of both parents has increased since both men and women can access health improving information.

Birth control increases the number of opportunities sexual reproductive health as an issues is brought up at work and at households. This improves decision making and forms positive attitude toward paternal, maternal and child health outcomes. The decisions may range from proper use of paternity and maternity leaves, planned recreation, bonding, nutritional health to overall safety of the home.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the Obamacare contraception mandate of August 2012 made contraception free to many American women, with the share of women spending any out-of-pocket costs on oral contraception plunging from 20.9% in 2012 to 3% in 2015. The out-of-pocket money was then made available to purchase other commodities in the market that promoted quality life.

Birth control is a benefit that gave working women an opportunity to lead thriving quality lives. Erasing it out deprives them of that one crucial key to quality well-being. Birth control in the hands of women improves on the quality of households which in turn improves the quality of a nation. Men should not assault women. That is worse enough. But, using law to attack the dignity of womanhood is the worst assault to women today.

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