I think the point of the comment about insurance is that in many HMO's, a patient does not get to choose their doctor. The doctor is assigned by the insurer. And, the choice of pharmacies is often regulated by the insurance company.
If the patient is assigned to a physician who will not prescribe BCP, it may be next to impossible for her to be transferred to a physician who will write the prescription. And, if she DOES get that scrip, she might well run across a pharmacist who will not fill it for her.
It comes down to insurance rules allowing medical professionals to force their personal version of morality on patients. And, as someone who works in the healthcare industry, I find it to be a violation of professional ethics for the practioners to do so.
Re: What is the function of insurance?
If the patient is assigned to a physician who will not prescribe BCP, it may be next to impossible for her to be transferred to a physician who will write the prescription. And, if she DOES get that scrip, she might well run across a pharmacist who will not fill it for her.
It comes down to insurance rules allowing medical professionals to force their personal version of morality on patients. And, as someone who works in the healthcare industry, I find it to be a violation of professional ethics for the practioners to do so.