Comments on: Church Stance on Birth Control, Public and “Private”

By: elle

elle — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:06:01 +0000

julie beck only has 3 kids, but a woman in my ward told me good mormon women have at least 4

By: jupiterschild

jupiterschild — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:14:27 +0000

Thanks to all for comments. First, let me say that I’d be interested to know which other plans do not cover birth control. I’ve lived in many states and been part of large, small, and government health plans. Never have we run into this. I don’t think it’s a financial decision at its base, and if it is, it’s not a very good one, as many have pointed out.

Second, to m&m and others who wonder about the connection of the Church to the policy, I spoke to multiple representatives of DMBA. Not one told me that the decision was financial nor that it was something commonly done. They did tell me that it was “just a decision made by our board, which includes representatives from the Corporation of the Presiding Bishop, BYU, and DMBA.” I think the CPB constitutes the Church, if BYU and DMBA aren’t good enough. Whether or not this is a common practice (again, not in my experience), DMBA’s explanation indicates that the policy is not done with that in mind.

In any case, the bottom line, for me, is that it is deplorable that even with such a policy the mental health of the mother is not a significant enough factor for them to cover it.

By: Stephen M (Ethesis)

Stephen M (Ethesis) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:53:48 +0000

you are free to choose birth control, but the employee health insurance won’t cover it, even though it will cover other prescriptions.

I guess my perspective is colored by debates on this point in other contexts, having nothing to do with the LDS Church or any other religious body, but where health plans for adjuncts did not cover birth control, but did cover other prescriptions.

The first time I heard about this was a family who worked for a recycling operation, they were mad that the company paid for pregnancies, but not for birth control. The one was considered not a routine part of life expense, the other was like buying diapers for the babies, not a covered expense.

I run into the issue from time to time, I don’t see it as particularly LDS or religious in nature, though it is interesting.

By: Chris H.

Chris H. — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:35:15 +0000

This is not to say that weird things are not being taught and twisted on the topic:

http://emp.byui.edu/WightmanG/Select_quotes/Birth_Control.html

By: Chris H.

Chris H. — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:30:47 +0000

“My guess is that the Church is not making the policy directly, but rather that someone high up at DMBA is implementing a personal view that dthe “higher law” is to not use birth control because of the numerous past statements of prophets condemning it. Institutional inertia or tradition is hard to overcome.”

My guess is that they are trying to pay for as little as possible because of budget reason (like all other insurance companies in Utat) and since they are not required to cover it by law (many states do require it) they are not. The student insurance does not cover it either. It is just available at the pharmacy.

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:58:32 +0000

My guess is that the Church is not making the policy directly, but rather that someone high up at DMBA is implementing a personal view that dthe “higher law” is to not use birth control because of the numerous past statements of prophets condemning it. Institutional inertia or tradition is hard to overcome. If you change a policy like that, it’s almost an admission that the previous policy was perhaps mistaken. So if you are employed by the Church and thus have DMBA health insurance, DMBA (or maybe the Church) would prefer you not be on birth control. If you are still a student, maybe it’s OK. Or it could be that the student health plan is separate from DMBA and maybe run by more progressive people.

By: mmiles

mmiles — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:49:16 +0000

It may be that this is a church policy, but then why offer birth control to the students at BYU? The contradiction is too big to convince me the church is making the policy for doctrinal reasons.

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 02:24:30 +0000

Steven M. and Mark D. – I agree wholeheartedly that the current system of health insurance is inefficient and takes the consumer out of the question. But to me, that isn’t the point of the post.
You are “free” to medicate yourself with diet Coke, but you can’t buy it at BYU vending machines (but they will sell you other soda). Just like you are free to choose birth control, but the employee health insurance won’t cover it, even though it will cover other prescriptions.

By: Jerry

Jerry — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:24:10 +0000

When I got my temple recommend to get married while at BYU the Bishop read a statement from Pres Kimball and signed by the first presidency. It said that family was important and they encouraged proper family planning using prayer and fasting taking into account the health and welfare of the mother. While at Ricks College Pres. McConkie talked and addressed selecting a spouse and having children as both being between you and our Father in heaven. Too many Bishops think they should have some say and it is simply above their pay grade.

I think there are some strong feelings in the church but no policy for or against birth control. The mixed message results in very high teenage pregnancies in mormon dominated communities.

By: Chris H.

Chris H. — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 04:28:31 +0000

No worries. Just having fun.