NOLA
Bobby Jindal: It’s time to offer birth-control pills over the counter
Although the op-ed might seem like a shift to the left for the Catholic governor, Jindal also reiterated his conservative reasoning behind his support for the issue.
First, he made clear if oral contraception was more readily available, employers currently mandated to provide it under President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act would not need to do so…
Second, he touted the impact it could have on individual buyers, saying “it’s time to put purchasing power back in the hands of consumers.”
Finally, he said if oral contraception is available over-the-counter, this would put an end to the politicization of the issue.
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Jindal is a good choice for 2016!
thuja on December 14, 2012 at 8:55 AM
Oh yeah, he’s going to make a run. Not being socially conservative I don’t have a problem with this stance. But it won’t stop the “War an Women” label from being applied to him. They’ll make up something.
Zaggs on December 14, 2012 at 8:55 AM
My offer to Dems: I’ll pay for women’s birth control if abortion is made illegal. Seems pretty even to me.
dernst2 on December 14, 2012 at 8:56 AM
a man of “conviction”
newrouter on December 14, 2012 at 8:57 AM
I thought they were “free”?
Fallon on December 14, 2012 at 8:58 AM
All drugs should be over-the-counter
Dante on December 14, 2012 at 8:58 AM
I think entirely too much medication is prescription only that should be over-the-counter. The Obama administration’s limiting of asthma medication in order to cater to the environmentalist left is the most egregious example of this…
I am socially conservative, but I would not mind that birth control were OTC. Nothing “morning after” of course.
Gingotts on December 14, 2012 at 9:02 AM
This.
Red Cloud on December 14, 2012 at 9:02 AM
In a perfect world. Of course, in a perfect world, only libertarian’s children would suffer the consequences on such a non-conservative idea.
Knott Buyinit on December 14, 2012 at 9:04 AM
Is he this naive?
sharrukin on December 14, 2012 at 9:04 AM
This is what gets me about this whole birth-control debate:
Levornogestrel
Ethinyl Estradiol
Both of these synthetic hormones were first introduced with the FIRST BIRTH CONTROL PILLS! They have been off-patent for decades. The only real innovation in birth control drugs have been drospirenone (used in Yaz), etonogestrel (used in NuvaRing, which is also a unique method of distribution), and desogestrel (used in Mircette). Most other new birth control patents have been novel mixings of the same old drugs, and various tricks with the five dummy pills that let patients have a period (gee thanks).
I get migraines, and until recently, the only off-patent migraine drugs were ergotamines, and my doc wanted me on triptans. In that instance, the $4/month cheap scrip would not be as effective as the expensive patented medicine, But birth control has essentially been the same old stuff for decades. The cheap stuff is essentially the same as the expensive on-patent stuff. So why the screaming need to subsidize?
Sekhmet on December 14, 2012 at 9:05 AM
Bad idea.
Birth control pills are synthetic steroids (typically ethinyl estradiol) under prescription for a reason… which can have serious side effects from blood clots and worse. These aren’t aspirin so no point in pretending otherwise.
viking01 on December 14, 2012 at 9:07 AM
I’m waiting to hear Sandra Fluke’s take on this before I form an opinion.
Dash on December 14, 2012 at 9:09 AM
This ^^^^^
This isn’t like Claritin – these have some serious side effects. I speak from experience.
gophergirl on December 14, 2012 at 9:09 AM
This Jindal guy starting to look like that rarest of creatures — a Republican who gets it.
I can only assume he’s too practical and intelligent to get the nod in ’16, which is a relief.
urban elitist on December 14, 2012 at 9:13 AM
Smart political positioning by Jindal. An anti-abortion message coupled with a pro-contraception position might have wider appeal.
dedalus on December 14, 2012 at 9:13 AM
Bets on how long before Jindal declares himself pro choice and pro gay marriage.. eyes roll. I’m socially moderate myself and would actually like to be able to purchase birth control OTC, but I hate blatant pandering by politicians even more. It is one thing to be a social moderate like Mark Kirk that always believed in those sorts of things. It’s quite another to be the conservative Catholic governor of LA one day and then totally evolve on the positions when it suits your political career.
Illinidiva on December 14, 2012 at 9:16 AM
Why? He’s crazy if he thinks it takes politics out of the issue, and there are good (medical) reasons it still requires a prescription.
Why isn’t our side declaring how ridiculous it is to even be talking about bc pills when we have high unemployment and a mountain of debt?
changer1701 on December 14, 2012 at 9:19 AM
In a libertarian world it would be illegal not to have a bong, crackpipe or a syringe on you at all times.
ChunkyLover on December 14, 2012 at 9:20 AM
Umm.. guys. This argument has been around for years and Jindal hasn’t commented on it, likely because he relies on conservative Catholics in LA to get elected. Now that he totally doesn’t need them any more he is all… I’m totally for birth control. Geez, Charlie Crist called; he wants his blatant careerist political pandering back.
Illinidiva on December 14, 2012 at 9:23 AM
Abortion should be over the counter, have it as available as those blood pressure cuffs at Walgreens.
Bishop on December 14, 2012 at 9:27 AM
No one suffers, and it is a wholly conservative idea.
Ignorance.
Dante on December 14, 2012 at 9:30 AM
This is stupid.
The pills are not all alike. I am afraid I don’t want a man who is not a doctor telling women what to do with their bodies, especially not a politician, democrat OR republican.
I would take his suggestion, and allow pharmacists or nurses at the walk up clinics you see now, to verify from your heath info, if you can take those pills, and which one might be ok for you. Plan B, also, the anti ovulation pill. Certainly not the other pills which could harm someone and induce abortions.
You may not need a doctor, but you should not have these over the counter for people to walk away with.
It would be funny if you did not need a prescription though, it would not be covered on your health plan!
Fleuries on December 14, 2012 at 9:30 AM
This guy gets it. He may be a formidable challenger in 2016.
libfreeordie on December 14, 2012 at 9:31 AM
Were you the winner of the “strategy session” with her?
http://twitchy.com/2012/11/26/hilarious-christmas-comes-early-win-a-strategy-session-with-sandra-fluke-for-20/
Congrats:)
Clink on December 14, 2012 at 9:32 AM
Ain’t that the truth.
But hey, why not? If we’re about to surrender on the illegal drug war, we might as well give out steroid pills to people who have less self-control than alley cats in heat.
Give them what they want – good and hard.
MelonCollie on December 14, 2012 at 9:34 AM
I remember the girls of Subic City, they never called it a “strategy session”.
Bishop on December 14, 2012 at 9:34 AM
Anybody who can stand up on stage, face the audience, and promise free stuff will be a formidable challenger to the GOP from now on.
MelonCollie on December 14, 2012 at 9:35 AM
No. In a perfect world, adults wouldn’t demand that other adults sacrifice their liberties, because they can’t raise their children without direction from the state on every single matter.
Of course, I’m sure that there are parents out there who need the government outlawing 32-oz sodas over the counter too. For the sake of their children, of course. I’m sure you’ll be quite comfortable in their company…
JohnGalt23 on December 14, 2012 at 9:35 AM
thuja on December 14, 2012 at 8:55 AM
Yeah, If you don’t sleep at all in 2015 and want to go on a year long hibernation in 2016.
HerneTheHunter on December 14, 2012 at 9:36 AM
No its truth. libertarians are obsessed with drugs
ChunkyLover on December 14, 2012 at 9:36 AM
Being a former libertarian, I can second this. It’s why I left the party – with great reluctance since I was fed up with the big two.
The greatest use of freedom liberaltarians make is to sit around and get stoned. What a way to run a political party.
MelonCollie on December 14, 2012 at 9:39 AM
Then people on perpetual Medicaid would have their doctors write prescriptions anyway, just like they do on aspirin, vitamins, etc., so they can pay $1, instead of the actual price.
Night Owl on December 14, 2012 at 9:39 AM
You have to admit there are some sticky issues though, pot is one thing while meth is another.
Bishop on December 14, 2012 at 9:40 AM
It won’t be unlike like the progression from gay marriage to polygamy and worse. Do not think it couldn’t happen.
MelonCollie on December 14, 2012 at 9:43 AM
No, that’s your close-minded characterization.
To be clear, while I favor ending prohibition on currently illicit drugs, I am speaking of pharmaceuticals and specifically speaking of government’s intervention in the market. It’s none of government’s business.
Dante on December 14, 2012 at 9:45 AM
@JedediahBila: Condoms & BC pills are not the same thing.Anyone who puts them in same category knows nothing about BC pills or their potential side effects.
idesign on December 14, 2012 at 9:45 AM
There are good arguments to be made for some prescription drugs to go over the counter, but OCPs are not one of them. Jindal’s stock just keeps dropping and dropping with me.
SAZMD on December 14, 2012 at 9:46 AM
@JedediahBila: BC pills can be dangerous & have serious side effects.Imp not to get in hands of kids who may have conditions that predispose them to danger
idesign on December 14, 2012 at 9:46 AM
and they should be subsidized at extra low prices, or maybe even issue birth control stamps
And that’s not entitlement spending, that’s the government protecting itself from enemies foreign and domestic
michaelthomas on December 14, 2012 at 9:47 AM
His whole “conversion” is questionable. Several Indians that I’ve worked with have said that he converted for political reasons knowing that a Hindu named Piyush wouldn’t get elected. He’s a politician through and through. The weeks before Romney lost he was angling for a position in the administration and when Romney loses and tells the truth about Obama’s gifts, who’s the first one out there bashing him? Jindal. I rest my case.
TxAnn56 on December 14, 2012 at 9:48 AM
There isn’t one. The need is to make your political opponents look like they hate women.
Odysseus on December 14, 2012 at 9:53 AM
Look, they can read from the same script.
C’mon, dopes, at least try to vary it a little.
BuckeyeSam on December 14, 2012 at 9:56 AM
So can Children’s Tylenol or Advil, or any current over-the-counter medicine.
Dante on December 14, 2012 at 9:56 AM
It isn’t candy. They are powerful hormones that can have very dangerous side effects, including death.
um, what? Plan B is not an “anti-ovulation pill.” It is a pill you take to prevent implantation, so the fertilized egg can’t survive.
cptacek on December 14, 2012 at 9:57 AM
He’s Constitutionally ineligible for VP and P.
Dante on December 14, 2012 at 9:57 AM
I don’t know what to make of this. At first I was disappointed Jindal is playing ‘small ball’ politics. Then I realized that after all, health care is his background and bailiwick. Then I wonder how this squares with his Catholicism.
What will be the liability to companies who sell this OTC? What does the FDA think? Aren’t those important points? It sounds like Jindal is trying to fix a political problem with a medical decision.
Paul-Cincy on December 14, 2012 at 9:58 AM
Yeah, that reason is cronyism and anti-competition, market interventionism.
Dante on December 14, 2012 at 9:59 AM
Who cares what the FDA thinks?
Dante on December 14, 2012 at 10:00 AM
So are the restriction on anthrax and nukes. Everything in life is a compromise of one sort or another.
sharrukin on December 14, 2012 at 10:01 AM
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