An intrauterine device is held in front of the B.C. Legislature. (photo courtesy of AccessBC)

By Liam Verster

AccessBC

B.C. students back demand for free prescription contraception

Jul 21, 2022 | 3:31 PM

A group that represents students in British Columbia is supporting a call for the provincial government to fulfill an election promise to make all prescription contraception free.

The B.C. Federation of Students, which is made up of 170,000 students at 15 universities, voted to endorse the AccessBC Campaign’s call for free contraception on July 17.

The renewed call for free contraceptives came following the overturning of Roe vs. Wade in the U.S., sparking people across B.C. to demand more action from the province for reproductive justice.

“After the devastating news about the overturning of Roe v. Wade, many B.C. politicians reaffirmed their commitment to supporting abortion rights, but more needs to be done,” said Melissa Chirino, chairperson of the B.C. Federation of Students.

“People in B.C. continue to face barriers when trying to access something as basic as contraception, and everyone should have access to free contraceptives without any barriers.”

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Free prescription contraception was endorsed by all major political parties in the last election, but despite it being a key component of the B.C. NDP’s platform, the policy has yet to be implemented.

Currently, an intrauterine device (IUD) can cost between $75 and $380, oral contraceptive pills can cost $20 a month, hormone injections can be as much as $180 per year, and an implant can cost $350. These costs can create a significant barrier to many British Columbians accessing contraception, particularly for younger people and people from marginalized communities.

“Students are already struggling to keep up with the sky-rocketing costs of living coupled with the cost of attending post-secondary education,” said Tashia Kootenayoo, secretary-treasurer of the B.C. Federation of Students.

“Access to free contraception allows struggling students to make one less difficult decision: food or contraception.”

A 2010 study from Options for Sexual Health suggest that universal no-cost prescription contraception could actually save the B.C. government as much as $95 million per year. That figure is based on other jurisdictions such as France, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom, where subsidizing most or all of the costs of contraceptions have resulted in overall savings.

Additionally, a free contraceptive policy could increase equality and improve health outcomes for infants and mothers, given the increased risk associated with unplanned pregnancies.

“The evidence is clear: unintended pregnancies are costly, both to our healthcare system and to patients directly,” said AccessBC campaign organizer and obstetrics and gynecology resident physician. Ruth Habte.

“Data has continued to demonstrate the cost-saving effect of universal access to contraceptives, especially the hormonal intrauterine devices, an option currently out of reach for many patients due to cost.”

AccessBC is a grassroots organization dedicated to advocating for free contraception across the province, and is asking the public to write their MLAs and support the campaign.