Can men have babies? That was the basis of a question asked posed to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius by Republican Congresswoman Renee Ellmers earlier today on Capitol Hill. It might seem like a silly question, because the answer is obvious, but under new Obamacare regulations young, healthy and single men are forced to pay for healthcare plans that include maternity coverage.
Ellmers: You also brought up the issue that when you were in Kansas [as health Commissioner and governor] that you fought against discriminatory issues… As far as [ObamaCare's] essential health benefits, correct me if I'm wrong: do men not have to buy maternity care?
Sebelius: Policies will cover maternity coverage. For the young and healthy, uh, under ythirty year-olds will have a choice also of a catastrophic plan that has no maternity coverage.
Ellmers: But men are required to purchase maternity coverage.
Sebelius: Well, an insurance policy has a series of benefits whether you use them or not…
Ellmers: And that is why health care premiums are increasing, because we are forcing them to buy things that they will never need. Thank you.
Sebelius: The individual policies cover families. Men often do need maternity care for their spouses and for their families, yes.
Ellmers: A single male, aged 32, does need maternity coverage. To the best of your knowledge, has a man ever delivered a baby?
Sebelius: I don't think so.
In the name of equality, women are also forced to pay for health services under new Obamacare regulations that are specific to men. For example, prostate exams.
The bottom line: The Obamacare one size fits all model forces people to pay for coverage they do not need and will never use.
H/T Breitbart for the transcript.
