In our society, healthy care is so expensive and not a lot of people can afford it. In a study conducted in 2019 by Health Market, I will be providing 2 charts of health insurance. One chart is without subsidy and one is with subsidy.
Monthly Health Insurance Premiums by State Without a Subsidy
| Location | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
United States
|
$481
|
$477
| $462 |
Alabama
|
$558
|
$546
| $553 |
Alaska
|
$726
|
$702
| $724 |
Arizona
|
$516
|
$471
| $442 |
Arkansas
|
$364
|
$378
| $365 |
California
|
$430
|
$435
| $430 |
Colorado
|
$470
|
$488
| $358 |
Connecticut
|
$545
|
$475
| $570 |
Delaware
|
$589
|
$684
| $548 |
District of Columbia
|
$324
|
$393
| $414 |
Florida
|
$466
|
$477
| $468 |
Georgia
|
$483
|
$487
| $463 |
Hawaii
|
$438
|
$493
| $474 |
Idaho
|
$478
|
$498
| $520 |
Illinois
|
$486
|
$478
| $451 |
Indiana
|
$339
|
$339
| $387 |
Iowa
|
$713
|
$762
| $742 |
Kansas
|
$518
|
$552
| $502 |
Kentucky
|
$422
|
$460
| $471 |
Louisiana
|
$474
|
$454
| $500 |
Maine
|
$588
|
$544
| $513 |
Maryland
|
$487
|
$419
| $397 |
Massachusetts
|
$316
|
$332
| $343 |
Michigan
|
$381
|
$383
| $360 |
Minnesota
|
$385
|
$326
| $309 |
Mississippi
|
$519
|
$521
| $487 |
Missouri
|
$529
|
$499
| $483 |
Montana
|
$525
|
$561
| $483 |
Nebraska
|
$767
|
$838
| $711 |
Nevada
|
$432
|
$410
| $374 |
New Hampshire
|
$475
|
$402
| $405 |
New Jersey
|
$413
|
$352
| $392 |
New Mexico
|
$414
|
$365
| $345 |
New York
|
$506
|
$569
| $610 |
North Carolina
|
$627
|
$618
| $558 |
North Dakota
|
$377
|
$457
| $383 |
Ohio
|
$371
|
$380
| $375 |
Oklahoma
|
$659
|
$696
| $601 |
Oregon
|
$414
|
$443
| $446 |
Pennsylvania
|
$575
|
$484
| $459 |
Rhode Island
|
$311
|
$336
| $332 |
South Carolina
|
$520
|
$552
| $509 |
South Dakota
|
$521
|
$557
| $593 |
Tennessee
|
$743
|
$548
| $511 |
Texas
|
$434
|
$444
| $432 |
Utah
|
$550
|
$542
| $486 |
Vermont
|
$505
|
$622
| $662 |
Virginia
|
$535
|
$555
| $521 |
Washington
|
$336
|
$381
| $391 |
West Virginia
|
$545
|
$596
| $628 |
Wisconsin
|
$569
|
$537
| $491 |
Wyoming
|
$865
|
$865
| $881 |
Monthly Health Insurance Rates by State With a Premium Subsidy
| State | Major City | Before Subsidy in 2020 | After Subsidy in 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Birmingham | $532 | $199 |
| Alaska | Anchorage | $694 | $153 |
| Arizona | Phoenix | $400 | $199 |
| Arkansas | Little Rock | $365 | $199 |
| California | Los Angeles | $363 | $199 |
| Colorado | Denver | $351 | $199 |
| Connecticut | Hartford | $548 | $199 |
| Delaware | Wilmington | $548 | $199 |
| District of Columbia | Washington | $414 | $199 |
| Florida | Miami | $450 | $199 |
| Georgia | Atlanta | $425 | $199 |
| Hawaii | Honolulu | $464 | $170 |
| Idaho | Boise | $503 | $199 |
| Illinois | Chicago | $353 | $199 |
| Indiana | Indianapolis | $421 | $199 |
| Iowa | Cedar Rapids | $769 | $199 |
| Kansas | Wichita | $464 | $199 |
| Kentucky | Louisville | $199 | $199 |
| Louisiana | New Orleans | $479 | $199 |
| Maine | Portland | $452 | $199 |
| Maryland | Baltimore | $397 | $199 |
| Massachusetts | Boston | $343 | $199 |
| Michigan | Detroit | $315 | $199 |
| Minnesota | Minneapolis | $275 | $199 |
| Mississippi | Jackson | $466 | $199 |
| Missouri | St Louis | $407 | $199 |
| Montana | Billings | $436 | $199 |
| Nebraska | Omaha | $583 | $199 |
| Nevada | Las Vegas | $338 | $199 |
| New Hampshire | Manchester | $405 | $199 |
| New Jersey | Newark | $389 | $199 |
| New Mexico | Albuquerque | $325 | $199 |
| New York | New York City | $622 | $199 |
| North Carolina | Charlotte | $410 | $199 |
| North Dakota | Fargo | $327 | $199 |
| Ohio | Cleveland | $328 | $199 |
| Oklahoma | Okla. City | $497 | $199 |
| Oregon | Portland | $413 | $199 |
| Pennsylvania | Philadelphia | $464 | $199 |
| Rhode Island | Providence | $332 | $199 |
| South Carolina | Columbia | $579 | $199 |
| South Dakota | Sioux Falls | $469 | $199 |
| Tennessee | Nashville | $488 | $199 |
| Texas | Houston | $389 | $199 |
| Utah | Salt Lake City | $452 | $199 |
| Vermont | Burlington | $662 | $199 |
| Virginia | Richmond | $499 | $199 |
| Washington | Seattle | $373 | $199 |
| West Virginia | Huntington | $627 | $199 |
| Wisconsin | Milwaukee | $471 | $199 |
| Wyoming | Cheyenne | $812 | $199 |
With jobs rates being so low, and the rich getting richer, middle class shrinking and poverty at an all time high, Planned Parenthood has helped billions of people over centuries. In today's blog I will be telling you what is Planned Parenthood, who started Planned Parenthood and why, the services Planned Parenthood provide and why I feel it is important to keep Planned Parenthood.
What is Planned Parenthood?
Planned Parenthood is a nonprofit healthcare organization that focuses on research of various health issues, gives advice on contraception, family planning, reproductive problems and more! While providing low to free services you need regardless if you do or do not have health insurance.
Who started Planned Parenthood and why?
Margaret Higgins Sanger
Maybe some of you have heard of Margaret Sanger, maybe some of you haven't. She was an American birth control activist, sex educator, writer, and nurse in a time that studying birth control was illegal. Sanger opened the first birth control clinic in the United States, and established organizations that evolved into the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
It wasn't easy, Sanger was prosecuted in 1914 for her book Family Limitation under the Comstock Act. Where she then fled to Britain, until she felt it was safe to return to the United States. Just two years later after her return to the United States in 1916, Sanger opened the first birth control clinic in the United States. Unfortunately, Sanger's clinic led to her arrest because a female undercover cop came into her clinic, took a copy of Sanger's pamphlet on family planning which talked about information on contraception.
Sanger felt that women should control their own bodies, live a healthier life and avoid "back alley abortions".
Because of Sanger, not only is birth control legal, but today there are more than 600 Planned Parenthood health centers in the United States providing high-quality, affordable health care for women, men and young people. Not only that, but Planned Parenthood is the nation' largest provider of sex education.
What services does Planned Parenthood provide?
Planned Parenthood provides many essential health care services, such as all different types of birth control, STD testing and treatment, counselling, cancer screening and prevention, well-woman exams, hormone therapy, infertility services, abortion, emergency contraception, health and wellness, pregnancy, sex and relationships, sexual orientation and gender and general health care. I will be providing the different types of birth control below, with a picture and short video. Planned Parenthood provides a section for teens where they can learn about about sex, relationships, the body and more. Planned Parenthood also provides a section for parents to learn to be more willing and open minded to talk to their kids about sex and hard conversations to keep them safe. Lastly, they provide a section for sex education, where professionals talk about safe sex, the body and more to help you learn and to keep your healthy and safe.
Different Types of Birth Control
The Birth Control Implant
The birth control implant is a thin tiny rod that is put inside your inner arm by a nurse. The implant releases hormones into your body that prevents you from getting pregnant. The implant is 99% effective and lasts up to 5 years. Can cost between $0 - $1300 at Planned Parenthood.
The IUD
The IUD is a tiny shape T device that is put into your uterus to prevent pregnancy. There are two different IUD's. One IUD lasts 5 year and contains hormones, and the other is last 10 year contain no hormones. It is one of the most effective birth controls being 99% effective. Can cost between $0 - $1300 at Planned Parenthood.
The Birth Control Shot
The Birth Control shot is an injection that you get every 3 months at the same time. It is a convenient and safe birth control method that is also private. It is 94% effective and can cost between $0 - $150 at Planned Parenthood.
The Birth Control Vaginal Ring
The Birth Control vaginal ring is a small, flexible ring that is inserted inside your vaginal area. It helps prevent pregnancy by projecting hormones inside the body. Stops ovulation, which means no eggs hang, therefore you cannot get pregnant. Lastly, the hormones thicken your cervical mucus, which blocks sperm from swimming to the egg. Replace ring monthly and can cost between $0 - $200 at Planned Parenthood.
The Birth Control Patch
The Birth Control Patch is put on your skin, either on your belly, upper arm, butt or back. The birth control patch releases hormones into the body. You have to change the patch every three weeks but on the fourth week, you take a whole off and restart the cycle. It is 91% effective and can cost between $0 - $150 at Planned Parenthood.
The Birth Control Pill
The Birth Control Pill comes in a pack, where you take 1 a day at the same time every day for 3 weeks. On the fourth week is your sugar pills, they will always be a different color. During the sugar pill week, you will be the time you get your period. If you want to skip your period, you do not take the last row, the sugar pills, and you will then start a new pack. It is 91%effective and can cost between $0 - $50 at Planned Parenthood.
Condom
Condoms are thin pouch made of latex, plastic, or lambskin, that cover over the males genital area while doing intercourse. You can only use one time per intercourse. Condoms help in preventing pregnancies and certain STD's. It is 85% effective and can cost between $0- $2 at Planned Parenthood.
Internal Condom
An internal condom is the female version of a condom. A latex pouch that goes inside the vaginal area helping prevent pregnancy and STD's. The internal condom can also used for anal and are 78% effective. It can cost between $0-$3 at Planned Parenthood.
Diaphragm
A diaphragm is a shallow shaped cup inserted in your vaginal area. It is made of a soft silicone material. Insertion requires you to bend half way and insert, allowing it to cover your cervix. The diaphragm is 88% effective and cost between $0-$75 at Planned Parenthood.
Birth Control Sponge
The Birth Control sponge is a small sponge made from a durable plastic. Placing it deep inside of the vaginal area before sex. The sponge covers your cervix, but you have to use a spermicide to help prevent pregnancy. The sponge is 76-88% effective. You can get 3 sponges costing $15 at Planned Parenthood.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLQXLL9yuT0
Cervical Cap
The Cervical cap is called the Fem Cap in the United States. It is a hat shaped silicone cup that you place inside of the vaginal area upon sex. It covers your cervix blocking sperm from joining the egg and has to be used with spermicide. They can be 71-86% effective with cost ranging $0-$90 at Planned Parenthood.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaCZ2JGYxXk
Spermicide
Spermicide comes in different forms such as creams , gels , and foams. Spermicide is a form of contraceptive that is a chemical. It's purpose is to slow down the sperm from trying to get to the egg. You place it deep in to the vaginal area right before intercourse. It is 71% effective and cost between $0 - $8 at Planned Parenthood.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIN-XCffz_k
Fertility Awareness (FAMs)
Also known as natural family planning Fertility Awareness helps you track your cycle so you know when your body is releasing eggs. With this method and tracking your ovulation, you will know when to not have sex or when to use another form of birth control. FAMs are 76% - 88% effective with dedication required. The cost to track and the supplies needed, can cost between $0 - $20 at Planned Parenthood.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOIBKtCqW0Q
Sterilization (Tubal Ligation)
Sterilization, also known as "getting your tubes ties", is a safe and effective surgical procedure. This procedure permanently prevents pregnancy and last a lifetime. It is 99% effective and can cost between $0 - $6000 at Planned Parenthood.
Vasectomy
A Vasectomy, also known as the male sterilization, is a surgical procedure. In this procedure, they cut or block the small tubes within your scrotum, the area that carries your sperm. It is 99% effective and can cost between $0 - $1000 at Planned Parenthood.
Why I feel Planned Parenthood is important
A lot of people think that Planned Parenthood is just about abortions, and that is the main reason why I wanted to talk about this topic. To inform that it is so much more than just that. Planned Parenthood is a health care provider that doesn't turn anyone down regardless if you have health care insurance or not. The stigma that was placed on Planned Parenthood by our society, demonized this organization. Evidently, making people feel ashamed for going, or the fear of judgement led many to not go to Planned Parenthood, despite if they needed the services provided or couldn't afford mainstream service. Misinformation and the stigma on Planned Parenthood is the reason why many want to rally to stand with Planned Parenthood because we want to keep saving lives, providing correct information on the organization, and continue helping those people that need it the most. Without Planned Parenthood, so many people would be out of health care services. So many people wouldn't be able to afford STD's testing / treatment, screening for cancer, counseling for anyone that has a problem or an incurable disease, a place to get free condoms or contraceptives, family planning, find out if you're pregnant (blood or urine test), sex education for everyone including the LGBTQIA+ community, or safe abortions. Abortions have been happening since forever and it is not going to stop anytime soon. People are going to continue to have abortions, so why are we going to take away a place where people can have a safe abortion. You can be pro life for yourself, but pro choice for others. Just because you wouldn't do it, doesn't mean you should banned others from it. Planned Parenthood gives you a choice and gives you a voice over your own body.
References
Planned Parenthood Official Website https://www.plannedparenthood.org/
