The government made a mistake when it inadvertently ended the government subsidy of college health centers’ birth control options – a mistake that could prove to be dangerous.

According to a 2006 study by the American College Health Association, 39 percent of college women said they use oral contraceptives. Although TCU students may not be feeling the pinch (some thanks to send-home), the rest of the 1 million college women that use birth control may be.

Although birth control is used for a variety of reasons other than contraception, doubling the price, and therefore, limiting access to birth control, is dangerous to college students. Many women are now switching from brand-name birth control to generic brands, which could cause new sets of side effects, according to an article in the Wall Street Journal.

Raising the price of birth control will force some students to use less effective measures, increasing the risk of unwanted pregnancies. Also, women who use birth control for methods other than contraception would see their health suffer.

Rep. Joseph Crowley, D-N.Y., who proposed an amendment to the bill, said taxpayers would not even be responsible to pay for the discount.

The government needs to trust that college students will act responsibly with birth control. We are adults and need to be trusted to make educated decisions about personal issues.

College women need birth control more than any other age group, and many don’t have the income to afford it.

Some schools have chosen to help subsidize birth control, according to the Wall Street Journal.

At these universities, educational resources may be sacrificed to help students afford it.

The government needs to amend this bill before the effects become long-lasting.

News editor Joe Zigtema for the editorial board.