If you
read my blog yesterday, you know I’m going through a rough period with my IC
and chronic UTI’s. As a result this made me feel strongly about writing on
my blog about women’s medical health issues and how it relates to the present
political landscape.
Are you
a woman who is taking birth control and it’s currently covered by your health
insurance? Are you now, or have you ever been, pregnant and had your insurance
cover pre-natal testing and pre-natal sonograms? If so, I recommend that you understand what is
at stake in this election. The Republican Congress is trying VERY hard to pass
the Blunt Amendment (& Gov. Romney has said that he supports the amendment)
that would make it legal for YOUR EMPLOYER to
decide whether or not you are entitled to have your insurance pay
for your birth control pills, these pre-natal tests and so much more! It also
allows for an employer or insurance company to refuse coverage for many other
screening tests, such as HPV screening. An individual could object to coverage of vaccines for
children, so the plan could then not be required to do so. A man purchasing an insurance plan offered to
women and men could object to maternity coverage, so the plan would not have to
cover it. Do you seriously want your
pre-natal care NOT to be covered by your health insurance because, if passed,
this could become a very real situation!
This is
an extremely radical amendment that would impact millions of women in this
country. More than 99% of women aged 15–44 who have ever had sexual intercourse
have used at least one contraceptive method; among women who are at risk of
unintended pregnancy, 89% are currently using contraceptives. If this amendment
were to pass, you would have to pay for all these things out of your own pocket
and would no longer be covered by your health insurance.
We can’t
even begin to understand how this could impact women with IC, endometriosis and
other medical conditions women have to deal with every day. Many women with these
problems are prescribed birth control to help control hormonal problems. Now
imagine your insurance won’t cover this for you anymore; could you afford your
treatment anymore?
Republicans
want smaller government unless it involves coming into MY doctor’s office or
bedroom! And remember who wrote this amendment - men! PLEASE, read up on the Amendment
and get educated about it and remember this very important issue for women when
going into the voting booth!
Women
must stick together and support our rights to access to the type of healthcare
WE and our doctors believe is necessary – NOT the federal government!
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