In the past week there has been a lot going on regarding gender equality and blatant price gouging when it comes to medical insurance coverage, including maternity insurance coverage.
Not many people thought of this as an issue, and then in 2008 The New York Times covered a story of a woman by the name of Peggy Robertson who was denied medical insurance because she had a previous cesarean section. Their excuse for the denial was if she was to become pregnant again, they would likely have to pay for a repeat cesarean section, and any complications that may come from the surgery. So in a letter they suggested she be sterilized, and in turn they would offer her medical insurance. This is a problem that is becoming prominent for many women across the country, and with the number of women giving birth by cesarean section being 1 out of 3, in the next decade we will see a drastic increase in un-insurable women if something is not done about this now. Fortunately for women across the country, this was brought to the attention of Senator Barbara Mikulski.
In the video clip taken from ABC World News Tonight, you can view the testimony as well as statement from Senator Mikulski about this subject while she vows to make sure what happened to Ms. Robertson never happens again under her watch.
And it all comes back to the birth of her child. Because of the defensive medicine that is currently being practiced in our country, this may happen to more women before our government does have the chance to change the laws regarding this.
If you know anyone that this has happened to, Senator Mikulski is working with The International Cesarean Awareness Network in finding women that have been denied or offered a option like sterilization like was offered to Peggy Robertson.
I sat down on Friday, and spent a whole 140 minutes watching the senate hearing, as well as the question and answer portion for the witnesses that testified. I was fascinated by what was shared, the people who testified, and what was said. It is disgusting, and sad how much women are being taken advantage of today.
I am praying that the health care reform will help not only fix this problem, as well as reform the medical malpractice laws.
