Birth Control Prices Skyrocket on College Campuses

The prices of birth control on college campuses have skyrocketed over the last few months, causing many students to pay two to three times as much for one month's supply than what they previously had to pay.

"I can't believe it!" said one Appalachian State University student. "Four months of birth control now cost me the same as 13 months used to!"

This price increase comes in the wake of a bill presented in 2005. The bill centered on reducing the deficit involved with the government health program Medicaid. In order to help decrease the deficit, the government no longer allows substantial tax breaks to pharmaceutical companies that offer discounted prices to certain institutions. This bill was just recently passed, going into effect January of 2007, which is why the prices weren't raised earlier.

Now, in order to keep profit margins at the level they were before the bill was introduced, companies that manufacture birth control have increased the price of birth control to university health centers. Many universities have tried to stock up before the price raise, but as these supplies run out, they are being replaced with more expensive birth control. Even switching to a generic brand will result in a double or triple increase of what students used to pay.

Not only does this affect the price of birth control, it also affects the type of birth control campuses are offering to their students. Alternative contraception methods, such as the patch and NuvaRing, will no longer be carried by many university health centers. NuvaRing used to be priced at $5; now just one month's supply has risen to $50, a 900% increase. Yes, you read that right-a 900% increase.

This increase does not just mean students have to pay more; it also means students can no longer continue with their preferred method of birth control with their university health center. If Appalachian State University students want to continue using NuvaRing have to go to another pharmacy to even buy it.

Some are worried that this extreme price increase will dissuade young women from using these forms of birth control. When it comes down to it, they may be right; cash is generally tight for college students as it is, and paying the rent will probably be at the top of the priorities list. Unless students get health insurance that covers birth control, it may simply become too expensive for some to use.