re:  "Health care overhaul may lead to free birth control"

In discussing the debate over the impact of the new health care law enacted earlier this year on coverage for birth control, the story several times referred to "free birth control".  Such a designation is not factually correct in terms of economics.  Regardless of what one thinks of the so-called "ObamaCare" reforms, it didn't suspend basic economics:  nothing is "free".  For the government to supply something, or mandate its supply at no cost to a consumer, it still has to be paid for; in the case of birth control drugs, it would either have to be subsidized by forcing others to buy coverage they might not want or need, or it would be plucked from the paychecks of taxpayers.  Either way, birth control is not "free", simply being paid for by someone other than the person receiving the drug and potentially against his or her will.

As writer P.J. O'Rourke has said, if you think health care is expensive now, just wait until it's "free".

Sincerely,
Dave Smith
Houston, TX