With Republicans finally rolling out their alternative to Obamacare, health care has vaulted into the headlines once again. Just one day after a Republican congressman argued against men having to contribute to prenatal costs, a host on MSNBC decided to speak out.
Health care backlash
Repubican Rep. John Shimkus of Illinois got into a heated exchange with Democratic Rep.Mike Doyle of Pennsylvania over whether or not male taxpayers should continue to be responsible for helping to fund Prenatal Care. As expected, the debate became heated, adding to the already tense situation involving the current state of the American health care system.
Shimkus took issue with the current law's mandate, before bringing up the issue of prenatal care. "What about men having to purchase prenatal care? Is that not correct?," Shimkus asked, before adding, "Should they?" Doyle then responded that "there’s no such thing as ala cart insurance." The Republican congressman fired back, explaining that taxpayers should be able to pick and choose what coverage they want. This issue was discussed during a March 10 broadcast on MSNBC.
Joining host Stephanie Ruhle was economist Austin Goolsbee, who went on to explain that "if you look at any insurance product, everyone pays in because there’s a risk that a small number of people are going to have a claim." Goolsbee went on to note that "prenatal care is good for society," and compared men complaining about contributing is similar to young people not wanting their tax dollars going to cover problems for the elderly.
"That’s how insurance markets work," he added.
WOW. The #GOP’s reason to object to insurance covering prenatal care? “Why should men pay for it?” Watch: #Trumpcare #ProtectOurCare pic.twitter.com/Q55nG1Un8j
— NARAL (@NARAL) March 9, 2017
Ruhle remarks
At this point,, Stephanie Rulhe decided to add her thoughts, with a special dig at John Shimkus.
"Congressman Shimkus, if you are watching, I’m not a doctor, but I will talk science for a moment," Ruhle said. "Though it is women who need that prenatal care, men are involved in the process that requires them to need prenatal care," she concluded. The Repubican health care alternative has faced increased opposition since its roll-out, including from high-profiled conservatives, most notably Sen. Rand Paul.