Making contraception free for low-income, uninsured women could prevent many unplanned pregnancies and abortions, new report shows
“The reasons for not using contraception vary, but a new report emphasizes the importance of making it affordable – particularly for uninsured women who receive care through Title X, a federal grant program that offers family planning services for low-income individuals on a sliding scale. Researchers compared the decisions made by about 1,600 uninsured women who were visiting a Title X-funded health center – about half of whom who received a voucher to cover the costs of contraception and the other half whom received care at the standard cost. When offered a voucher for free contraception, patients were 40% more likely to adopt any form of birth control, according to the report, published this month by the National Bureau of Economic Research. And they were more likely to choose longer-lasting and more effective methods, too.”