Prevention Through Affordable Access

As some of you may know, the Deficit Reduction Act came into effect last year, causing a dramatic increase in contraceptive prices across college campuses. Traditionally, Congress has expanded access to affordable prescription drugs for vulnerable populations by permitting pharmaceutical companies to offer low, or “nominally priced”, drugs to certain health care providers. Unfortunately, a recent change in Federal law inadvertently excluded university health centers and some safety net family planning providers from being able to obtain these nominally priced drugs -- even though the pharmaceutical companies are willing to offer it to them.

Since the law went into effect last January, birth control prices have skyrocketed for university and low-income women across the country, restricting access to this basic -- but critical -- form of reproductive health care. Birth control prices have skyrocketed from $5 or $10 to $40 or $50 dollars a pack. Some colleges have had to stop offering birth control at all. Many students and low income women are finding birth control priced out of reach. This is sure to result in an increase in unintended pregnancies among college students and low-income women. The American College Health Association has tried vigorously to put pressure on legislators to add a fix for nominal drug pricing to various health-related bills, but all attempts thus far have been unsuccessful. It is finally time to get this done, but another layer of advocacy is needed -- more than just a handful of groups -- to make this happen. Please call, email, and talk to your local representatives to inform them that the Prevention Through Affordable Access Act (Hr. 4054 / S. 2347) is a no-cost, technical fix that will restore nominal prices and that we cannot wait any longer for this to happen. You can take action by visiting: http://capwiz.com/acha and sending a message to your elected officials!