The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux)

[alphabassettgrrl]

Yeah, pretty much. Lots of things insurance covers could be considered objectionable to some people: treating type II diabetes, high blood pressure, any cancer resulting from smoking, heart disease, vaccinations, etc.

But insurance covers lots of things that you'll never use but that other people need. It's a pool. That's why it's more affordable. So yeah, if it's ok to cover Viagra, it's ok to cover contraception.

[Kevy Baby]

I believe that contraception is far more likely to be covered than Viagra. I don't know this as a fact, but my anecdotal experience indicates it.

[wendybeth]

Lots of private plans cover Viagra, as does Medicaid, a fact that caused not an inconsiderable amount of controversy when it was revealed to the public. Apparently, ED is a medical problem- and unwanted pregnancy isn't? Also, the Pill is prescribed for a variety of medical conditions unrelated to desiring to prevent a pregnancy.

I'm willing to bet all those old farts like Limbaugh use Viagra.

[Kevy Baby]

Yes, some plans cover Viagra and some plans don't cover birth control. However, I would have a hard time believing that there are plans that cover Viagra but don't cover BC.

[Alex]

Lots of plans that cover Viagra also cover birth control. But are any plans required to cover Viagra?

It is the required part that is at issue. She definitely doesn't deserve to be called a slut or any other names.

But I have some sympathy for the question of whether it should be part of a government mandate that no copay be the minimal acceptable coverage for prescriptions.

I'd also say it is a sign of how broken having insurance be (generally) tied to employment is stupid, since once employed it pretty much creates a monopoly situation. Whereas if everybody who mandated to buy their own insurance on an exchange with certain price points, if contraceptive coverage is desired, and it really is cheaper in the end for the insurers as many claim (or isn't significantly more expensive), then it would become a point of competitive advantage for some insurance to cover it while a "conscientious objector" insurance plan can die on the vine if that means nobody wants it.

But instead we insist on putting a disinterested (for the most part) middleman in the equation and the employer is only going to care about cost.

[katiesue]

I thought this article from the LA Times last week was interesting. Healthcare Insurance: How the patchwork coverage came to be

[Betty]

Are plans required to cover pregnancy?

[Snowflake]

Rick Santorum just lost himself the nomination. Snort.

Rick Santorum has made a campaign promise to bar "hardcore pornography" from American websites, magazines and television, but industry giants who produce much of the nation's porn aren't worried that the crusading candidate will stop the multibillion dollar industry from churning out the next "Deep Throat."

[Gn2Dlnd]

^ Michael Lucas gives good duckface.

[SzczerbiakManiac]

That is his only face.