19 things I trust with women's health more than this room full of men.
Where are the ladies at?
The future of health care in the U.S. hangs in the balance, but there's no need to worry. After all, we have top men working on it right now — emphasis on "men."
As the House of Representatives works on crafting a replacement to the Affordable Care Act, the internet couldn't help but notice just how overwhelmingly male the bill's architects seem to be.
For example, take this photo of Vice President Pence meeting with members of the House Freedom Caucus:
Women make up half the population and will almost certainly feel the effects of whatever bill gets passed "bigly," which makes it kind of weird that there aren't any women involved in this conversation.
A group of men deciding what's best for women makes about as much sense as leaving these types of choices in the hands of...
1. This ferocious beast
Photo via iStock.
2. A bundle of twigs
Photo via iStock.
3. A litter of puppies
Photo via iStock.
4. A single ripe banana
Photo via iStock.
5. A flock of seagulls
Photo via iStock.
6. A Flock of Seagulls (the band)
Photo via Everett Collection.
7. A pile of pencils
Photo via iStock.
8. The 1973 Miami Dolphins
Bob Griese of the Dolphins takes a snap during Super Bowl VII. Photo by Tony Tomsic, via AP.
9. These hardworking deer at the office
Photo via iStock.
10. A rock band of grandmas
Photo via iStock.
11. This business pug
Photo via iStock.
12. This elephant on a tightrope
Photo via iStock.
13. Robots
Photo via iStock.
14. A child riding a farm animal
Photo via iStock.
15. A small fish with big ambitions
Photo via iStock.
16. These rebellious children
Photo via iStock.
17. A bowl of mashed potatoes
Photo via iStock.
18. This family trying to make sense of a hospital bill
Photo via iStock.
19. Or a pool floaty.
Photo via iStock.
(If only there were some women in Congress who could have been consulted...?)
Nah. They'd probably be too emotional about it. 65 House Democratic women elected to the 114th Congress gather for a photo on Jan. 7, 2015. Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images.
Leaving women out of the negotiation process is especially egregious given that one of the main issues being discussed in that photo above was whether to gut things like maternity and prenatal care.
The Affordable Care Act considers these services "Essential Health Benefits" (EHBs), a term that includes things like maternity and prenatal care as well as preventive care like mammograms and Pap tests and, you know, just a bunch of things that pretty directly affect a whole lot of women.
Earlier this month, Rep. John Shimkus (R-Illinois) lamented the fact that EHBs mean men have to purchase plans that cover prenatal care. Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kansas) sarcastically joked, "I sure don’t want my mammogram benefits taken away," when asked about the possibility of scrapping the EHB requirement. (He later apologized.)
Image from CNN/YouTube.
Essential Health Benefits are way important, people! If we're going to be redefining what "essential" means, that debate has to be open to more than just a handful of guys.
Over the coming days, weeks, and maybe even months, our members of Congress are going to be considering things like this (and much, much more). And while there's nothing we can do to influence who's in "the room where it happens," we can all use our voices in other ways. For instance, you can call your representative to let them know they should leave EHBs alone, using a service like 5 Calls. Or you can fax your members of Congress using Resist Bot to let them know you're not on board with a plan that will bump as many as 24 million people off their insurance.
It's up to all of us to make our voices heard. After all, if you're not OK with the business pug making decisions about your health care, then what makes a room full of men any more qualified?