Access to birth control could drastically reduce abortion rates by two-thirds.
When I was in college, obtaining birth control was a significant challenge for me. The cost of pills ranged from $15 to $50 monthly—money I simply didn’t have while working minimum wage jobs to cover tuition, books, and rent. Long-term options like IUDs or implants came with an upfront cost between $500 and $1,000, which was far beyond my financial reach. There was a Planned Parenthood clinic in my city, but it was a 20-minute drive away, and without a car and with limited public transportation, I struggled to access it. Consequently, I relied on free condoms from my campus health center, despite their 2 percent failure rate. My experience is not isolated.
The Statistics Behind Unintended Pregnancies
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, nearly half of all pregnancies—49 percent—are unintended, primarily due to various barriers that prevent women from obtaining or consistently using contraceptives. A 2015 study indicated that universal access to birth control could lead to a 64 percent reduction in unintended pregnancies, a 63 percent decrease in unintended births, and a striking 67 percent drop in abortions.
The Financial Implications
Moreover, universal access to services provided by organizations like Planned Parenthood could save the public health system around $12 billion annually, significantly cutting public expenses associated with unintended pregnancies. Currently, Planned Parenthood is fighting for its federal funding amidst pressures from the Trump administration to cease abortion services, despite the fact that federal tax dollars cannot be used for abortions. These funds enable Planned Parenthood to serve Medicaid patients and provide Title X family planning services. Approximately 60 percent of their clientele depends on federal support for care.
Voices from Experts
Jessica Collins, a women’s health policy expert at the Center for Family Health, pointed out to us that Planned Parenthood serves about 2.5 million individuals annually, many of whom are low-income or rely on Medicaid. “Restricting funding for Planned Parenthood jeopardizes vital healthcare access for disadvantaged communities,” she noted. “Seventy percent of Americans believe in the right to choose and support Roe v. Wade. Demanding that Planned Parenthood not provide certain services only introduces further barriers to essential healthcare.”
The Broader Impact
The implications of reducing this funding extend beyond Planned Parenthood; it affects low-income individuals, people of color, and LGBTQ youth who disproportionately depend on these critical services.
Resources for Alternative Options
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Conclusion
In summary, improving access to birth control can significantly lower abortion rates, alleviate public health costs, and ensure that vulnerable populations receive the care they need.