I am furious - TennCare no longer covering Birth control?

[PylesMalfunction]

Let me start with saying that I can't get any other health insurance other than Tenncare. I have tried. Over and over - no one will cover me, regardless of how much money I would spend to get coverage. It's a long story and one I'm not going to get into here, but the reason is BS. I'm healthy and take care of myself but what about the health insurance industry makes sense?!!

For some reason, I survived this last round of TennCare cuts. I feel almost guilty because there are a lot of people who did get kicked off that are going to die because of it. It's absolutely heartbreaking. :(

I just went to pick up my birth control prescription. The tech at Walgreens told me that TennCare is no longer covering any form of birth control. :grr: So let's see - they want to save costs by kicking off people who are going to die without this coverage. Then they think by cutting BC coverage, they'll save even more? The pharmacy tech was even disgusted. They will save $500 a year per person for getting rid of BC, but what about the women who get pregnant - how much money will they spend on her once she gets pregnant? And when she has the child, the child is covered under TennCare so now they have another person to pay for. THIS IS INSANE!!! I'm so pissed at our spineless governor for yanking coverage for these people anyway. :grr: :grr: :grr:

I'm about to throw a fit and I want to direct it in the best way for maximum effect. Does anyone know if Viagra is still covered? If not, how do I go about finding this out?

I'm going to start out by writing a letter to our dickless wonder of a governor but who else do I need to write to? I'm also going to write a letter to our local newspaper. What else can I do?

I am ripshit!!! :grr: :grr: :grr:

[Sweet Freedom]

1. Man, I don't blame you!!

That is just ridiculous. Perhaps your local NOW chapter can help. Or contact local OB/GYN's and see if they can help.

As for the viagra--can you call your insurance provider and just ask if your husband's Viagra will be covered? (If it is--let 'em have it!)

I hope you can cover the out-of-pocket cost. If not, maybe a local clinic or an out-of-country pharmacy would work.

Keep us posted!

edited to delete a stupid question...

[CottonBear]

2. Well, it will not help to complain to Dr. Frist.

I had no idea how dire the TennCsre situation is. :grr: :(

[FreedomAngel82]

3. I've written to him about health insurance

but he just wrote back some crappy stuff. :eyes: *sigh* I wish there was something to do.

[PylesMalfunction]

5. Thanks everyone

I'll have to be careful and watch my budget but I can afford to pay for it. But what about the women who can't? This just makes no sense from a humanitarian standpoint or a cost-savings standpoint. Even if you're part of the "The more we feed, the more the breed" crowd (and yes - I saw that on a bumpersticker yesterday :grr: ), wouldn't you want less people to be on gov't assistance?!!

I love this state and I'm not giving it up to the right-wing assholes but I get so damn mad at the idiots who run things! :grr: :grr: :grr:


PS - on a funny note, on the same truck that had the "The more we feed, the more the breed" bumpersticker was a bumpersticker that said "Vote Republican, It's easier than thinking". I almost wet my pants I laughed so hard. :rofl: I wish I could have explained the irony to him.

[mzteris]

4. don't they realize some

people take BC for reasons OTHER than "birth control"???

See if there is an exemption for that - then get your doctor to prescribe for those reasons.......

[drumz4hire]

6. Sorry to hear that....

but at least you apparently still have Tenncare.

[Jackson4Gore]

7. Respectively

Be responsible and just use a condom. Cuts are being made, which I do not agree with. However, if comes down between someone's heart and blood pressure medicine or birth control, I think you know which one I would cut out. It is just common sense.

As I said, no big deal, just use protection.

[Lars39]

8. You know better than that, or if you don't you need to educate

yourself before spouting off condescending crap like that.Condoms fail and bc pills are prescribed for things besides birth control.

[Jackson4Gore]

9. The point is

Cuts are being made and you have to prioritize things. One would have to agree diabetes and heart medicine are more important than birth control.

And, I think your facts are wrong on condoms. If used properly, they work 99.5% of the time.

[Lars39]

10. Birth control *is* a health issue, that if ignored comes back

and bites everybody in the butt. To a woman who has extreme bleeding each and every menstrual cycle, bc pills can be every bit as important as insulin or heart meds.

[Egalia]

11. no birth conrol...

and no health insurance for hundreds of thousands, but if you get pregnant, you can have insurance for as long as you are pregnant. The country needs a new supply of recruits.

[Lars39]

12. Creating for the "generational war on terror".

How long before medals are given to the moms with the most kids? Blech.

[PrincessBubbles]

13. Medical Reasons for Birth Control

[AC_Mem]

17. What if a condom is not an option?

There are people who have very severe reactions to condoms and cannot use them. What is your answer for them? There are people who are put on BC pills to balance their hormonal systems, or because of severe complications of endometriosis. What is your answer for them?

And this is not the point anyway. This is Tennessee, and those of us who live here know very well that there are people who want to take away health care for people who are struggling financially.

Taking away funding for BC pills and then complaining about having to support women who have children and are on welfare is typical of the conservative argument. Unwanted pregnancies will cost TennCare MUCH more than $500 a year.

It is a very stupid, very "Tennessee" way of thinking. Total ignorance and disgusting.

I hope that there is another option for women, perhaps a Planned Parenthood clinic can provide BC for those who are not fortunate enough to have the money for the rx.

Annette

[doeriver]

14. How much the TNGA budgeted for pre-natal care in current fiscal year

I cannot remember the exact bill numbers, but I recall this discussion from watching a Tennessee General Assembly video (the one wherein Rep. Curry Todd referred to illegal immigrants as "breeding like rats" or some other similar remark) - two female administrators were testifying that the State of Tennessee will be needing to budget $10,000 per pregnant woman enrolled for pre-natal care through the State of Tennessee.

I will go back and see if I can find these materials and post the video files to YouTube.com

[doeriver]

15. birth control is always less expensive that paying for pre-natal care

The Tennessee General Assembly under the Republicans seems to have forgot that providing birth control to lower income constituents is always less expensive that paying for pre-natal care (now $10,000 per enrolled pregnant woman in Tennessee)...

[SharonAnn]

16. Go to Planned Parenthood. They can usually provide very low-cost birth contro pills, iuds, etc.

[Tsiyu]

18. This is the website of the Director of Health

You can ask why women are not having basic health needs met; cite articles showing low ranking in providing for women's health. Use your own experience as example.


http://health.state.tn.us/providers.htm


Susan R. Cooper, MSN, RN, Commissioner


Edit to add links

http://www.womenshealth.gov/about-us/who-we-are/regional-offices/4/

Scroll down for Tennessee, not sure about links


Another strange site here...

http://www.tn.gov/goccc/initiatives/women/index.html