There seems to be those who still doubt that there is a “war on women” in this country, even in the midst of the Republican’s attempt to defund Planned Parenthood. I have discussed and subsequently argued with friends who don’t believe sexism exists and don’t think they should have to pay for women’s health care. Let me first note the irony in how the first statement is contradicted by the second. I already addressed the second issue in a previous post specific to Planned Parenthood.
Now let me offer you some anecdotal evidence about the first statement. Sexism exists. It’s even institutionalized…which is likely a direct result of lobbyists for insurance companies and the effect they have on legislation politicians attempt to pass.
Fair warning: the following contains mentions of “lady parts” and women’s health. If you can’t handle that…you’re too much of a sissy to be on this blog and especially not this post.
Last night I was doing some research online and came upon a Q & A forum about prophylactic use of Diflucan, (an anti-fungal) during anti-biotic use. Basically, women who find they regularly suffer from yeast infection during antibiotic use are starting to ask for Diflucan to go along with any antibiotic perscriptions. (This includes people on a standard course of antibiotics for an acute infection, and also women on daily low doses of antibiotics for acne.)
One woman on the forum stated that her insurance company would only cover the cost of one single dose of 150 mg per month for yeast infections. This same insurance company would cover seven perscriptions of up to 300mg each for thrush.
Essentially, these are the same infections, just in different locations. The only other difference is that, by dint of having a vagina, women are the only people who can get vaginal yeast infections, while people of any age can get oral thrush. Men can even get yeast infections on there genitals if they have sex with someone who has one. But her insurance company will cover 14 times more medication for thrush than for vaginal yeast infections.
In other words, if you have bad breath and a sore mouth, you’re covered. But if you’re baking bread in your vagina, you’re fucked.
It really bugs me when I hear men say they shouldn’t have to pay for women’s health issues with regards to taxes and insurance. Do women not make up half the population? If there were no women, there’d be no men. Women have to help pay for your viagra. Have some fucking respect.
alienredqueen 
Someone really said that? As if it is a fucking contest, or you get to choose where your taxes go? Yeah well I’m tired of paying for prostate exams, how’s that? Asshole.
Literally.
Exactly my point. Yes. Actually, a lot of conservatives and men are saying things like that. It makes me very angry. But last night was the first time it hit me how bad the inequality is in our health care system.