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home / 世界杯决赛2022

opinion: saskatchewan needs universal coverage of contraception

contraception is a human right, and saskatchewan must ensure this right is not limited by prohibitive costs, write u of s medical students.

by guest column

apr 5 2023
read time 3 minute read
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“many of our patients are single-parent mothers, already on a stretched budget to support their children. they often discontinue their contraception because of cost … groceries before birth control!” — dr. sally mahood, family physician, regina

it is evident that life has become more expensive in saskatchewan . yet, when it comes to prescription contraception, we continue to force many people capable of pregnancy to choose between this necessary medication and the basic costs of living.

cost is the greatest barrier to contraception and it’s one the government can universally cover. access to contraception is a critical component of reproductive decision-making and should be a guaranteed right for all under canada’s universal health-care system.
if control of your reproductive health is part of the right to health care, access to contraception must fall within that right.
contraception is unique because there are a multitude of devices with varying efficacy and longevity. more expensive long-acting reversible contraceptives, such as iuds and contraceptive implants, are often the most effective option, but pose a significant initial cost.
as a result, individuals tend to gravitate towards less expensive, yet less effective, options such as the oral contraceptive pill. additionally, the role of contraception goes beyond pregnancy prevention.
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it can be utilized in conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (pcos), endometriosis and painful menstruation, which can have significant health implications if not well managed. as such, the need for universal contraception coverage is clearly demonstrated.
when considering this necessity for universal contraception coverage, it is notable that one third of women in canada will have an abortion in their lifetime and roughly half of all pregnancies are unintended.
though abortions and permanent contraceptive procedures — like tubal ligation — are covered by the government, they come with unseen emotional costs to the patient and the inherent risks of any surgical procedure.

birth control is significantly less expensive than abortions and unintended pregnancies, demonstrating that universal contraception coverage is a much more fiscally sound policy.

cost is not the only barrier to accessing contraception in our province, but it is one which can be most easily alleviated by our current government.
while coverage does exist for some, much of our population is falling through the cracks and finding themselves in the financially and emotionally draining situation of an unplanned pregnancy.
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the barriers to accessing contraception are even more pronounced in youth, indigenous peoples, immigrants, refugees and those in rural and remote areas. these groups are often impacted greatly by the varied consequences of unplanned pregnancies.
it would be shameful for us, as a wealthy and privileged province, to turn our backs on those in need when the solution is within reach, has been proven effective by countless studies, and will change lives.
rights should not come with a cost; this is what uniquely makes them fundamental rights. contraception is a human right and we in saskatchewan should ensure that this right is no longer limited by prohibitive costs.
free universal prescription contraception would allow for exactly that. it is a step in the right direction from a medical, financial, and, most importantly, a deeply human standpoint.
adrian teare, kalea rempel, wardah mahmood and natisha thakkar are all medical students at the university of saskatchewan and have engaged with contraceptive care and women’s health through their education and through clinical practice on hospital rotations. they have co-founded the advocacy group universal access to contraception saskatchewan.

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