Copyright 1999 The Times-Picayune Publishing Co.
The Times-Picayune
June 22, 1999 Tuesday, ORLEANS
SECTION: METRO; Pg. B4
LENGTH: 147 words
HEADLINE:
VIAGRA AND CONTRACEPTIVES INSURANCE
BODY:
Some people are taking the coverage of Viagra
by insurers as an opportunity to demand coverage of oral
contraceptives as well. They make this demand in the name of
"fairness." The line goes like this: Viagra is good for men and oral
contraceptives are good for women.
There are many flaws
in this line of reasoning. The first is in labeling Viagra a pill for men,
thereby implying that it does not do any women any good. Excuse me, but I'm sure
that there are many women who are living life more fully now that their spouses
have access to Viagra. The second is to imply that both Viagra and oral
contraceptives are good. Viagra takes something that does not
work the way it is supposed to and helps it work better. That's good. Oral
contraceptives take something that works the way that it is
supposed to and try to break it. That's not good.
David Kepper
New Orleans
LOAD-DATE: June 22, 1999