Social Problem:
Men do not have equal reproductive health coverage compared to women under the ACA
Neo-conservative
The government is at fault for the ACA coverage gap in reproductive health care between women and men. The government interfered with the health insurance market and distorted market forces by doing so. This is a social problem for American citizens and insurance companies who are forced to participate in the implementation of the ACA. Individuals are being impacted because they have to enroll in an insurance plan or face fines from the government. In addition, enforcing government mandates for coverage of women’s health, pre-existing conditions, and employees has increased cost for insurers and businesses. This has contributed …show more content…
The range of coverage or lack thereof, reinforces the social expectation of masculinity meaning that men must be “tough” and help themselves. This masculine expectation is embodied in all social systems, including health care which correlates to negative health outcomes for men. This is especially true for men of color or of low soci-economic status. The gap in coverage also reinforces the idea that family planning is the responsibility of the woman rather than the responsibility of all people. Furthermore, these views are damaging to the self-image of women and men as well as gender relations in our country. Women generally receive more coverage and advocacy for reproductive health concerns because of the imbalance of power created by a patriarchal system that contributes to their negative health outcomes. For example, the women’s health mandate, recently implement through the ACA, includes free coverage for preventive health services that specifically affect women although there is no such mandate for men. Men are often considered, in relation to women, the perpetrators of reproductive health issues rather than individuals who also face certain vulnerabilities that impact their health. These vulnerabilities, such as race and soci-economic status, are seen as “weaknesses” of the man rather than a reflection of a society that promotes oppression through its programs and policies. Men have not been openly instructed to take a less active role in reproductive health care; however, it is implied by the actions of insurance companies who provide less coverage for men, the government who enforces mandates that are not gender inclusive, and the reproductive health movement that has historically focused on women’s rights and barriers to access. To increase positive health outcomes, our nation’s programs and policies should incorporate
Men do not have equal reproductive health coverage compared to women under the ACA
Neo-conservative
The government is at fault for the ACA coverage gap in reproductive health care between women and men. The government interfered with the health insurance market and distorted market forces by doing so. This is a social problem for American citizens and insurance companies who are forced to participate in the implementation of the ACA. Individuals are being impacted because they have to enroll in an insurance plan or face fines from the government. In addition, enforcing government mandates for coverage of women’s health, pre-existing conditions, and employees has increased cost for insurers and businesses. This has contributed …show more content…
The range of coverage or lack thereof, reinforces the social expectation of masculinity meaning that men must be “tough” and help themselves. This masculine expectation is embodied in all social systems, including health care which correlates to negative health outcomes for men. This is especially true for men of color or of low soci-economic status. The gap in coverage also reinforces the idea that family planning is the responsibility of the woman rather than the responsibility of all people. Furthermore, these views are damaging to the self-image of women and men as well as gender relations in our country. Women generally receive more coverage and advocacy for reproductive health concerns because of the imbalance of power created by a patriarchal system that contributes to their negative health outcomes. For example, the women’s health mandate, recently implement through the ACA, includes free coverage for preventive health services that specifically affect women although there is no such mandate for men. Men are often considered, in relation to women, the perpetrators of reproductive health issues rather than individuals who also face certain vulnerabilities that impact their health. These vulnerabilities, such as race and soci-economic status, are seen as “weaknesses” of the man rather than a reflection of a society that promotes oppression through its programs and policies. Men have not been openly instructed to take a less active role in reproductive health care; however, it is implied by the actions of insurance companies who provide less coverage for men, the government who enforces mandates that are not gender inclusive, and the reproductive health movement that has historically focused on women’s rights and barriers to access. To increase positive health outcomes, our nation’s programs and policies should incorporate