Thread by @TRexMD780

@ABDanielleSmith

Let's do some education on contraception here. A thread (that I doubt you will ever read but here I go)

#abhealth #abpoli #ableg

1. Universal coverage of contraception is not a subsidy to insurance companies. Insurance companies only cover a percentage of meds, rarely 100%. There is still pay out of pocket costs, and for young women, even this small cost isn't always affordable

2. IUDs can be up to $500. Insurance companies will only pay for 1 per year. So if it falls out, gets embedded, there's side effects, etc, they can't get another through insurance for at least a year. This usually falls on the doctor to find a "free" one

3. Let's talk about "free IUDs". They are increasingly difficult to get for docs. We try online lottery systems and we beg drug reps. I ask patients if I can keep their unopened IUD if they happen to have one and then not use it (pregnancy, etc). It's so difficult to get them

4. Oh and Nexplanon isn't really covered by any company and could be a huge benefit for our patients with hx of trauma, sexual assault or other reasons where a pelvic exam is inappropriate. It's rarely an option though and it should be

5. For our most vulnerable, like the houseless or suffering with addiction, the process of finding a doctor, getting the prescription, going to the pharmacy every 3 mo and taking a pill everyday is truly impossible. Universal coverage is one step removed for them

6. Also, obvious fact here but so many patients do NOT have private coverage!!! Many of them are young women or AFAB who are working part time jobs with no support. They don't qualify for low income blue cross and they can't afford to pay for blue cross private plans.

7. And you know what's more expensive than universal contraception coverage?

Tax payers supporting unplanned pregnancies, whether the pregnancy is kept or not

And an IUD is cheaper than the cost of an abortion to the healthcare system.

'Nuff said

So @Alberta_UCP & Danielle: Supporting universal contraception is not only logistically & financially intelligent, it's also the right ethical choice

You are turning it down due to your entrenched conservative moral values, admit it. This has nothing to do with insurance.

@JanisIrwin #InternationalWomensDay

Oh p.s: remove the tax on menstrual products too. Make those free as well. I recently removed a NAPKIN from a patient because she couldn't buy a pad or tampon.

Let's give women/individuals AFAB their dignity back please.

An addendum for @ABDanielleSmith: Did you know non group Blue Cross isn't free? It's $63.50/mo for an individual & $118/mo for a family. So for a single mom, you're asking her to choose btwn Blue Cross so she can take her daily pill or her groceries for the kids. Just FYI.