Choices have costs

The editorial "Health Concern: Government Should Not Do the Bishops' Work" (Feb. 15) made me chuckle, which I don't believe was the PG's intent. Aside from referring to nameless polls and surveys that purported to support contraception, the overall piece amazed me for one reason: The PG, like so many others, is missing the point.

Those who decide to use contraception or have an abortion are making a choice. I make many health care choices that are not covered by my insurance, and I pay for them out of my own pocket. That is my choice, and I take responsibility for it. Why should I be required to pay for the choice of others to use contraception or have an abortion? They don't pay for my health care choices, health care choices made to treat illnesses. Pregnancy is not an illness.

Women pride themselves these days on having the right to choose. Having the right to choose requires personal responsibility. Maybe people need to understand that choices not only have consequences but they have price tags as well.

By the way, I am female, a practicing Catholic and proud of the bishops for standing up to defend church teaching.

TERESITA K. KOLENCHAK
Vandergrift