Last week's Question of the Week asked whether health insurance policies should cover birth control prescriptions. Well over eight out of 10 responses said they should.

Among 1,115 responses to this unscientific poll, 931 said such prescriptions should be covered, while 181 disagreed.

Some readers' comments:

- I think it is ironic that the same folks who oppose abortion also oppose comprehensive sexual education and coverage for birth control under prescription plans. Where's the logic in that?

- You should have asked, "are you willing to pay more money per month on your insurance for birth control prescriptions?" Everyone wants more benefits, but the problem is they don't realize that every mandated benefit comes with a price tag.

- Can anyone explain to me why Viagra is covered on more insurance plans than birth control?

- What could be more cost-effective? One normal, term pregnancy costs around $4,000. Birth control at full-price (oral contraceptives) is $400-$500. One prevented pregnancy results in an initial cost savings that would pay for 10 years of birth control. This savings disregards the additional cost to society of an unwanted pregnancy, which occurs more often among members of society who are most economically disadvantaged. Even insurance companies who do not have societal concerns should be able to figure out that, over time, covering birth control will be cost effective for them.

- Let's face reality: We do not live in 1900 or even 1950 anymore. Young people are becoming sexually active at a much younger age. Help protect women from unintended and unwanted pregnancies. Women pay as much as one-third more out-of-pocket for medical expenses than men, don't you think women deserve a break in costs? Keep religion out of this. This is purely money and politics and you know it.

- Employers who don't offer this coverage could face discrimination lawsuits under the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This isn't the way to send the message that Montana is open for business.

- Contraception is basic health care for women. As the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states, "to ignore the health benefits of contraception is to say that the alternative of 12 to 15 pregnancies during a women's lifetime is medically acceptable."