Unless you've ever had a period and dealt with the hygiene involved with one, please don't suggest to "ladies" to wash and rewash fabric.  

Environmentally friendly disposable products are available but are costly, I agree menstrual hygiene products need to be more affordable so low-income families can afford them.  This op-ed piece has a valid point about access and affordability for pads and tampons, I never thought about the many low-income families whose wives, mothers, and daughters need these products monthly just like all menstruating females but can't afford them.  Just as I believe soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and toilet paper should be allowable purchases on food stamps, so to for pads and tampons. 

What I can and will do is begin donating pads and tampons to the Catholic Charities food bank, maybe others will, too.