Talk about penny-wise and pound-foolish.

Many health-maintenance organizations and health-insurance plans cover Viagra, but refuse to cover vasectomies and birth-control devices and supplies.

HMO and insurance moguls defend their stance by asserting the erection producer is theraputic, but contraceptives and surgery are preventative and elective.

What the hell is going on? Providing vasectomies and contraceptives would save gobs of money for the HMOs and insurance companies.

Just compare the miniscule costs of minor surgery or pills to the monumental costs of prenatal care, delivery, postnatal care and the child's medical coverage for 18-23 years.

Is that capitulation to right-wing religious fanatics or do the HMO and insurance bean counters simply prefer more lead in their pencils? (21 MAY 2000).