Copyright 2000 The Buffalo News
The Buffalo News
October 4, 2000, Wednesday, FINAL EDITION
SECTION: VIEWPOINTS, Pg. 5B
LENGTH: 340 words
HEADLINE:
CONTRACEPTIVE PILLS MEET MEDICAL NEEDS
BODY:
I was disturbed to read Beverly
Sottile-Malona's recent "My View" column, in which she called for health
insurance companies to pay for infertility teatments but not
oral contraceptives. Her arguments seemed to stem from the need
to promote her personal beliefs about sexual morality, rather than a real desire
to help women facing fertility problems. She said, "people should receive full
disclosure of information," yet she omited facts about oral
contraceptives in order to support her arguments. She wrote,
"If Viagra is used solely as a treatment for a legitimate medical necessity, it
should be covered. On the other hand, contraceptives are not a
medical necessity." This is untrue. As a registered nurse, she should know that
the pill is used by many women for medical reasons other than just
contraception. In fact, the hormonal therapy provided by the pill is used to
treat certain gynecological conditions which, if left untreated, can cause
infertility.
I am one of 5 million American women who suffer from
endometriosis, a chronic condition that is a leading cause of infertility. At
age 32, I have already had a portion of my intestines removed and nearly lost an
ovary because of this disease. Although there is no known cause or cure, the
best treatment available is the hormonal therapy of oral
contraceptives, which can slow the progress of the disease.
Oral contraceptives are also used to treat other
conditions, such as fibroid tumors of the uterus, polycystic ovarian syndrome,
abnormal uterine bleeding and irregular menstruation. Unfortunately, many women
are covered by health insurance plans that will pay for them to
have a hysterectomy, but not for the hormonal treatment that might help prevent
one.
Values regarding sexual morality are unique to each individual and
should be the basis for our personal behavior, not our health
insurance policies. Everyone should be able to choose the
treatment options they and their doctor determine are necessary for their
health. KIMBERLY BROWN Buffalo
LOAD-DATE: October 6,
2000 
