This essay argues that birth control should be provided free of cost to women by shifting contraceptive expenses from individual users to society through taxes or insurance premiums. The paper defines "free" in its policy sense and builds a cost-benefit case: studies show free birth control reduces abortions and unplanned pregnancies to roughly 70% of the national average, generating significant financial savings given that abortions cost approximately $1,600 each across roughly 860,000 annual procedures. Beyond economics, the essay draws on peer-reviewed research to show that unplanned pregnancies and subsequent abortions carry serious mental health consequences, particularly for lower-income women, making proactive contraceptive access a sound societal investment.
The issue of birth control and its accessibility has been a highly polarizing and contentious debate throughout America. Many proponents of birth control point to its societal benefits, which include a reduction in abortion rates, a reduction in unplanned pregnancies, and more. However, those opposed to such a measure cite the economic unsustainability of providing free contraceptives and argue that society would essentially be paying for something many Americans are morally opposed to. Each side of the argument raises valid and often substantiated claims. Nevertheless, it is the position of this essay that birth control for women should be free.
To begin, it is important to define the term "free," as it is one of the most misused terms in everyday discourse. For the purposes of this argument, "free" means a shift in the cost of female contraceptives from those who are the actual users to those who may not be users — that is, society at large. Here, irrespective of political views, moral standing, or socioeconomic status, all members of society would pay a portion of the costs of contraceptives. This would typically come in the form of higher taxes, higher health insurance premiums, or a combination of both. It is the contention of this essay that the inconvenience imposed on society through such cost-sharing is heavily offset by the corresponding reduction in unplanned pregnancies and abortions.
A published study found that providing free birth control to women reduced abortions and unplanned pregnancies to roughly 70% of the national average (Rue et al.). According to the Brookings Institution, nearly 90% of all abortions occur as a result of unplanned pregnancy. From a monetary perspective, abortions cost approximately $1,600 per procedure. With roughly 860,000 abortions occurring each year on average, society is spending approximately $1,376,000,000 annually on abortion procedures alone. This figure says nothing of the true total cost of abortions, which also includes psychological and physical health consequences.
For example, research has found that after an abortion, women are twice as likely to seek psychiatric care compared to women who gave birth willingly (Munk-Olsen et al.). These issues are further exacerbated among women lower on the socioeconomic ladder, where studies have shown that lower-income women experience more severe mental health consequences that can prove detrimental to society in subsequent years (Reardon et al.). These drawbacks can include reduced productivity at work, a higher propensity for mental illness, and a higher propensity to develop drug and alcohol addictions (Biggs et al.). In many of these instances, society would ultimately bear the costs of additional mental health treatment, lower workforce productivity, and expenses associated with addiction. By investing in "free" contraception for women, society takes a more proactive approach toward avoiding these far more costly problems down the line.
It is also worth noting that the World Health Organization recognizes access to contraception as a fundamental component of reproductive health, underscoring the broader global consensus that contraceptive access benefits individuals and communities alike. Similarly, research published in peer-reviewed medical journals consistently supports the link between expanded contraceptive access and improved public health outcomes, reinforcing the economic argument with a strong health equity dimension. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also documents the public health value of contraceptive use in reducing unintended pregnancies across all demographic groups in the United States.
Society would benefit from "free" contraception for women in a multitude of ways. First, from an overall healthcare perspective, society can significantly reduce the costs associated with abortions, which on an average year total nearly $1.3 billion. These cost savings could be redirected to help finance the availability of "free" contraception for women. Likewise, with respect to women themselves, providing "free" contraception helps improve their overall mental health. As noted above, women who undergo abortions are often significantly more psychologically affected, and they consequently require services that society will ultimately bear the cost of to some degree (Sullins). Finally, from a broader societal perspective, free contraception provides a far more cost-effective method of reducing unwanted or unplanned pregnancies — a benefit to society as a whole.
You’re 78% through this paper. Sign up to read the full paper.
Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log inAlways verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.