The health care system in this country is a reflection of our culture. The profit-motive is there, the amazing advances in medical science and technology is there, bloated costs are certainly there, inefficiency is there, and what the system decides to pay for and not pay for is decided by trying to weigh the costs and benefits of the marketplace with the needs of the society in general. It’s no wonder the system is so messed up. The pieces aren’t aligned.
The Obama Administration changed its tune on dealing with the preventive women’s health issue that was created by the Affordable Care Act; (specifically, requiring contraception services be provided at no cost to the individual). The original position and employer mandate was ludicrous (even to those not involved with politics) as the perception of infringing upon religious rights looked very real. The Administration should have known better on this one.
From a pure public health standpoint, the logic of the original mandate made some sense. Religious institutions provide a significant portion of health care in this country. Catholic hospitals make up twenty-percent of all hospital beds and in many geographic areas are the only hospitals around. To address the desire to reduce abortions and unwanted pregnancy, the Administration felt these institutions had to be included in the original mandate- women’s health is a large cost item in health care and whatever final rules were developed needed to include all major players.
The decision created an outcry and the Administration had no choice but to change their approach.
Now, instead of requiring employers to provide these services- the Administration shifted the responsibility to the health insurers. Nobody really knows how this is supposed to work but the “religious freedoms” argument for employers was theoretically resolved.
Instead, the new decision creates another administrative layer to add to an already confusing and complicated health care structure. And, don’t think anything is “free.” Somebody is going to be paying for it somewhere.
Our health care costs reflect our society. In many respects, the costs are a scorecard on how we live. A significant portion of our costs reflect our lifestyles and using contraception could be considered a lifestyle if you really want to get into it. Don’t get me wrong, reducing unwanted pregnancies and abortions is important. However, a large part of today’s unwanted pregnancies and abortions reflect lifestyle more than anything else. That's what really needs to change. Providing access to necessary health care services is one thing. Providing free access to health care services that encourage irresponsible lifestyles is another.
We need accountability in our health care system today- not encouragement to just continue what we’re doing because it’s free. Some may argue the Administration's decision was a "step in the right direction." Unfortunately, this was only a baby step if a step at all. As usual, we’re starting from the wrong end.
The Obama Administration changed its tune on dealing with the preventive women’s health issue that was created by the Affordable Care Act; (specifically, requiring contraception services be provided at no cost to the individual). The original position and employer mandate was ludicrous (even to those not involved with politics) as the perception of infringing upon religious rights looked very real. The Administration should have known better on this one.
From a pure public health standpoint, the logic of the original mandate made some sense. Religious institutions provide a significant portion of health care in this country. Catholic hospitals make up twenty-percent of all hospital beds and in many geographic areas are the only hospitals around. To address the desire to reduce abortions and unwanted pregnancy, the Administration felt these institutions had to be included in the original mandate- women’s health is a large cost item in health care and whatever final rules were developed needed to include all major players.
The decision created an outcry and the Administration had no choice but to change their approach.
Now, instead of requiring employers to provide these services- the Administration shifted the responsibility to the health insurers. Nobody really knows how this is supposed to work but the “religious freedoms” argument for employers was theoretically resolved.
Instead, the new decision creates another administrative layer to add to an already confusing and complicated health care structure. And, don’t think anything is “free.” Somebody is going to be paying for it somewhere.
Our health care costs reflect our society. In many respects, the costs are a scorecard on how we live. A significant portion of our costs reflect our lifestyles and using contraception could be considered a lifestyle if you really want to get into it. Don’t get me wrong, reducing unwanted pregnancies and abortions is important. However, a large part of today’s unwanted pregnancies and abortions reflect lifestyle more than anything else. That's what really needs to change. Providing access to necessary health care services is one thing. Providing free access to health care services that encourage irresponsible lifestyles is another.
We need accountability in our health care system today- not encouragement to just continue what we’re doing because it’s free. Some may argue the Administration's decision was a "step in the right direction." Unfortunately, this was only a baby step if a step at all. As usual, we’re starting from the wrong end.
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