Recession's Impact on Women's Health

Health Care

I am worried about my 22 yr. old son who is no longer eligible under our family insurance because he is not a full-time student this semester.

I don't go to the doctor as often as I should because we on a tight budget, being that I lost my job about 7 months ago. It seems as if the health care system works for the rich and the poor, but the middle-class fall through the cracks when they lose their insurance.

preventive care

The difficulty with our system is that preventive care is out of reach--that means people often intersect with the medical system after a problem develops. Treating cervical cancer in the early stages is still more expensive than a pap.

Pres Obama talked about preventive care during the campaign, let's hope that the coming reforms will find a way to encourage this.

When it comes to psychological distress from recessionary woes, I wonder if men are suffer more acutely, however, with fewer emotional supports and so much of their identity wrapped up in providing.

People spend more on entertainment

during a recession; it's a well-known fact. So why are so many people in this country complaining that they can't afford their health care when otherwise it's a nonstop nonessential shopping spree? American culture at its finest.

It all comes down to choices, people.

Take the Octomom argument for example - imagine if EVERY woman was entitled to bear 14 children when she cannot afford to raise them! So it's actually a good action that people are postponing spending & debt (in having children). However, the choice, (to rear children in relative poverty, or wait until a more stable economy) is still available.

And Muser, you forgot to look at supply and demand amongst corporate employers and employees. If an employer decided to cut their benefits, then do you think they might lose employees to competition or another industry? That, my friend, is what a free market is about. Your statement of a government provision for benefits, is what socialism is about.

The fundamental difference is really the entitlement mentality. One is entitled to benefits collectively vs the freedom to earn individual benefits.

And finally, where is the companion piece for the impact of the recession on men's health? After all, 3 of 4 laid off are male, not to mention the dearth of attention comparitively paid to men's health.

We are postponing alot of health care

With the rise in co-pays and other health deductibles, I have not received dental care in 5 years or vision care in 3. When I have to make hard choices of where to spend my health dollars, my children come first. Consequently, I know I am not addressing alot of preventative health needs. My family is middle income, so I am sure low income families are struggling alot more.

Except for the Democrats you elected in 2008,

This recession would be used as opportunity for corporate employers to completely run away from helping workers and families have health care---as a new "norm". That shift actually has been going on for some time, and it would accelerate as fast as stocks fell.

The difference is, with Democrats you will get SOME resistance to those actions by corporations or government options for people, or both in combination. With Republicans, you would get absolutely nothing in response.