Women take ‘birth control’ pills for many reasons
Regarding Phillip Kaleida’s Oct. 14 letter (“AG Is Wrong on Birth Control Rollback Lawsuit”): It’s amazing that in the 21st century so many men are still clueless about “birth control” medications used by women. Their minds immediately go to the sexual act and pregnancy prevention. For the sake of the women in your life, read this and learn something.
“Birth control” pills are also prescribed for irregular or absent menstrual periods, cramps, acne, PMS, endometriosis, and PCOS (a hormonal imbalance). The pill lowers the chance of getting anemia, endometrial and ovarian cancer, and ovarian cysts. Many women past child-bearing age use the pill for health reasons!
You may not be aware of the cramps and pelvic pain associated with periods and how the pill can alleviate it. Extremely heavy menstrual flow is a cause of anemia and adds trips to the restroom. I once had a manager who timed our restroom breaks and counseled us to shorten them. Men would take the newspaper with them, and they didn’t get timed.
Women are not asking for free pills; we just want them covered as most other prescription drugs are, so we pay a portion, not the entire cost — just as “other Pennsylvania women and men must do for their own prescription drugs,” as the letter said.
Allowing our employers to eliminate certain drugs or procedures from our health coverage for “religious or moral” reasons is a very dangerous road to take, and you might want to rethink your opinion. Someday it may affect MARY BEERMAN
Robinson often the latter is too late. You can’t uncook a hard-boiled egg. EUGENE M. GOLDBERG Hampton
Recently, you highlighted a report from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (“Hospice Group’s Point: People Hurt Themselves by Delaying the Service,” Oct. 3), which found in 2015 nearly 30 percent of patients were enrolled in hospice for just seven days or fewer, not taking full advantage of the benefits hospice can provide. Hospice addresses the symptoms of a terminal illness, while promoting comfort and dignity. It manages a patient’s pain, while helping the family understand what he or she is going through.
The Pennsylvania Homecare Association represents more than 700 in-home care providers in the state, including hospices, and helps to advocate for dignity at the end of life. The providers are passionate in demanding the very best for their patients. PHA has joined several other health care groups, including the Pennsylvania Medical Society and the Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania. PHA has joined to develop legislation
We welcome your opinion
now being considered in the Legislature (HB 1196/SB 623), which establishes the Pennsylvania Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST), allowing patients and their health care providers to document preferences regarding the use of life-sustaining treatment in a medical order.
PHA has also developed a free resource. Call 800-382-1211, Ext. 21, to order your copy of “Secrets No One Told You About Family Caregiving.”
VICKI HOAK CEO, Pennsylvania Homecare
Association Lemoyne, Pa.