I was unaware that insurance companies cover 5 health procedures for men that mostly deal with their sexual health and their ability to engage in free sex. But the way insurance companies approach women’s sexual health is completely different. In fact in the wake of the administration’s recent concession to opposition the church will not be required to provide contraceptives free of charge to women. I do not believe there has been any conversation addressing this disparity in coverage between men and women by the men in the halls of Congress.
Really I cannot conceive of a public discussion where men in suits debate whether the public’s taxes should cover erectile dysfunction in the same way that discussions taken place about a woman’s right to decide about her own body. Men simply do not talk about any form of personal inadequacy. Yet epidemiologic studies show that more than one third of them will complain of problems with penile erection and seek medical help.
In 2004, a large international study of over 27,000 men found that between 16-22% currently had ED. Further, only 58% ever consulted their doctor and only 16% ever tried oral therapy. So imagine my surprise when I learned of the list of problems for which coverage is available to men.
They include:
1. Erectile dysfunction drugs -Viagra or Cialis pills
2. Vacuum erection devices- if pills do not work
3. Penile implants – if neither the pill nor device works
4. Vasectomies – often recommended if the ED results from either a side effect of surgery or is the result of a disease
5. Circumcision-this is not “considered” medically necessary yet it is covered for newborns.
The successful outcome of undergoing any one of these procedures is to permit a man the ability to engage in free sex. This was ostensibly what the Republican outrage was about in their opposition to birth control for women. Clearly there is clear imbalance in the approach to this problem for men and women. Women must unzip their lips. I am just saying.
I am not trying to start an insurrection. It came to my attention in writing somewhere else. This is just one of those days that I am playing tit for tat. Did you know this?What are your thoughts? I am curious.
Anu Prestonia says
This has surely been kept mum. And the unmitigated gall of men before congress to have the power to decide on what happens with a woman’s bodies! All women would need to do is to abstain from sex with men for six months, like they did in Liberia, and lets see if that will speak louder than words or insurrections and give us back the power of deciding what happens with our bodies!
Janet says
Excellent post. I think that panel of men testifying about contraception before Congress really shocked us all. We need to defend contraception? Really? I’m hoping the insurrection is already underway!
boomrwiz says
Thanks Janet. Booy old Boy this reminded me how important it is to think for oneself. One can’t afford for example to take an one of these candidates thinking seriously about most things that are important to me.
Phyllis Y. Hammonds says
It is not fair!
boomrwiz says
No Phyllis it is not fair. Knowing in a specific way why it is not fair is empowering.