God Damn HMOs

So you know how a lot of insurance companies won't cover prescriptions for birth control? That's bullshit.

I personally am not on the pill, as I am a smoker who rarely gets laid. But I know many women who are. I'm not going to get into a whole feminist diatribe about discrimination, and how if men were the ones who could get pregnant, birth control would be free, have zero side effects, and taste like beer. I'm looking at this from a purely financial perspective.

The insurance available through my job does not cover birth control. But boy, am I ever thinking about getting knocked up. They cover pre-natal care, labor, delivery, and then you get like 6 weeks off of work! Sounds like fun, right? Seriously, insurance companies. Think about this. Hospital visits are expensive. Regular doctor's visits add up, especially if they include ultrasounds and the like. And then, at the end of all that, there's going to be another person to cover under the insurance plan. Of course, maybe that's the incentive. Mom will have to pay to get coverage for her new little bundle of joy. I smell a conspiracy...

Is it just me, or does it seem a little silly? Prevention is hot right now. A lot of insurance companies are paying for people to be screened for stuff (I read an article awhile ago...I don't remember specifics) and even paying for people to be counseled on nutrition and exercise regimes, cause it saves money in the long run if those people don't need open-heart surgery 10 years down the road. So why not birth control? That's like if I said, "Condoms are too expensive. I'll just get herpes." [Tangent: Of course, we all know that free condoms are readily available, and Lord knows I grab a handful any time I see them. Also: I really would rather not get herpes.]

This is developing into a full-blown "Kate didn't get enough sleep last night, so now she's going on and on about something, and she knows a little bit about it, but is too tired/lazy to actually research it so she sounds like she knows what the hell she's talking about" rant. Expect a lot of those in this blog.

In conclusion: In the long run, birth control is way cheaper than a kid. Do you think my insurance company would cover an abortion?