1. Sacrifice of Reproductive Health Choices
Reproductive justice is the issue that stands to take the largest hit in our nation’s swing towards conservatism. This election has significantly lowered the number of policy-makers and governors who believe that a woman should retain the rights to make decisions about her own body (Planned Parenthood 2010 Scorecard and Voter Guide). They are taking steps to criminalize and greatly limit access to the possibility of abortion around the nation even in the case of rape, specifically targeting low-income minority women. They also wish to reverse the legislation and disband the services that make birth control options available to women at low cost. (Nancy Keenan, director of NARAL Pro-Choice America: www.prochoiceamerica.com)
Women can expect to experience the dizziness and nausea associated with the inability to choose their own destiny or protect their families, futures and well-being.
2. Decline of Health Education Opportunities
Along with the promised anti-choice, anti-woman, anti-family legislation mentioned above, this new cohort of politicians is seeking to reinstate the dangerous Abstinence-Only education curriculum, a program which has proved to be not only ineffective, but also counter-productive to preventing early pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (Keenan). Our children and students will be fed largely inaccurate, unrealistic, religion-based information about their bodies, feelings and choices. (Neville, www.rhrealitycheck.org)
Students of all ages can expect the burning, itching and emotional upheaval associated with inadequate information and the consequences of ill-informed choices.
3. Restricted Access to General Medical Services
(See www.healthcare.gov)
Republican leaders were able to gain control in the election due in part to voters’ dissatisfaction with health care reform. The new conservatives in our government are interested in overturning this revolutionary legislation, a step that will leave many women, families and communities hanging in the limbo of uninsured, under-insured and overlooked once again (Muskal, LA Times).
- Recently graduated students would lose the ability to remain on their parents’ insurance until age 26.
- Patients with pre-existing conditions can expect, once again, to go uninsured and forced to pay out-of-pocket for exorbitantly expensive procedures and services.
- People will no longer have access to the free preventative services offered by the Affordable Care Act: they will again have to pay for important tests, screenings, check-ups and counseling sessions that have been proven to improve health and reduce instances of dangerous illnesses like cancer, diabetes, heart disease and mental illness.
- Senior citizens who require a variety of medications will again be plagued by the Doughnut Hole, forced to pay out-of-pocket for life-saving drugs rather than given rebates and coverage for these expenses as promised by the Affordable Care Act.
All U.S. citizens can expect to feel a tightening in their wallets and the shortness of breath associated with insurance coverage uncertainty. Many will also experience subsequent symptoms caused by dodging annual check-ups, going without medication and avoiding doctors’ advice because of the inability to pay for their health care.
We have chosen a bitter pill and an uphill battle, America. The consequences of electing politicians who are not concerned with providing services to vulnerable populations, who are against funding the crucial, effective programs/organizations that fight health inequalities, injustice and ignorance, and who look at women’s health as a bargaining chip rather than an integral issue in the sustainability of our nation, are dangerous. But we can fight these side effects. Women – stay informed, stay strong and stay empowered. Our country’s health depends on us!
Sources:
1. “Your Health Care Explained.” US Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.healthcare.gov/index.html
2. “2010 Scorecard and Voter Guide.” Planned Parenthood Action Center. http://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/elections-politics/2010-elections.
3. Keenan, Nancy. “We Can’t Give Our Opponents An Inch” (Update). NARAL Pro-Choice America. http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/government-and-you/ November 3, 2010.
4. Muskal, Michael. “John Boehner vows to dismantle healthcare 'monstrosity'” Los Angeles Times. http://articles.latimes.com/2010/nov/03/news/la-pn-election-fallout-airwaves-20101104. November 3, 2010.
5. Neville, Will. “Bait and Switch Politics: Welcome to the 112th Congress” http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/blog/2010/11/03/bait-switch-politics-welcome-112th-congress November 3, 2010.