Democrats push for expanded Medicaid coverage of menstrual products

The Hill ^ | 11/20/2024 | Ashleigh Fields

[ChicagoConservative27]

Senior House Appropriations Committee members Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, sent a letter to Medicaid officials Wednesday urging them to include menstrual products in their coverage.

Menstrual products are currently designated as medical devices, which aren’t covered through mandatory or optional benefits.

Their letter said that states currently have the option to provide coverage of menstrual products by including them in demonstration projects or using waiver authority for a period of time but none have chosen to do so.

They cited statistics that say one-quarter of teenagers and one-third of adults say they struggle to afford menstrual products in the United States.

“Cost barriers disproportionately impact the sexual and reproductive health of populations who experience heavier or prolonged periods, and therefore require more menstrual products over time,” the representatives wrote.

[ChicagoConservative27]

Tell Raskin and Meng to pay for it out of their own pockets. The tax payer has had enough.

[PGR88]

for men!

[SpaceBar]

Government subsidized rags.

[Tell It Right]

Cost barriers disproportionately impact the sexual and reproductive health of populations who experience heavier or prolonged periods

There was a time when people made less babies if they had trouble affording raising them.

Exhibit A: the birth rate decline during the Great Depression except for people like my farming grandparents who were pretty self-sufficient even during the Depression. The Baby Boom generation wasn't just about making up for the lost time of WW2, for many families it was also about making up for less babies born during the Depression.

Today if you can't afford to raise kids, no problem. The government subsides them anyway.

[armydoc]

I demand free TP for my BH

[Teacher317]

There was a time when people made less babies if they had trouble affording raising them.

Not really. For most of human history, children were seen as the easiest way out of poverty. They added labor, at a bare minimum, as well as increased security, both financial and physical. The poorest regions of the world have always had the highest birth rates, and still do today.

[PeterPrinciple]

Senior House Appropriations Committee members Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, sent a letter to Medicaid officials Wednesday urging them to include menstrual products in their coverage.

---

and......................lobbying at work.

[ABStrauss]

Jamiel, who looks a lot like a Three Stooges character, has menstrual problems.

[Tell It Right]

I was referring to recent history, and in American society. I wasn't talking about average birth rates since the beginning of time, all over the world.

Below is a birth rate chart. Obviously, I'm not saying that current birth rates are higher than the great depression (the whole replacement rate argument is for another discussion). I'm saying whatever the normal birth rate was at the time, Americans before the "great society" would choose to have less babies during times of economic hardship. Then they'd increase baby making during economic prosperity (until it became fashionable to do the "nuclear family").

[Teacher317]

I was referring to recent history, and in American society. I wasn't talking about average birth rates since the beginning of time, all over the world.

Which is reasonable. I just tend to look at this in the more macro sense. :)

[Signalman]

Liberal men are signing up...

[Reddy]

Where does it end?

feminine hygiene products
toilet paper
butt wipes
tissues to blow your nose

Everything should be freeeeeeeeeee!

[Brian Griffin]

Amazon Basics Thick Maxi Pads for Periods, Super Absorbency, Unscented, 48 Count, 1 Pack

$5.42

https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Basics-Absorbency-Unscented-Previously/dp/B09B7L2BPB/

[Hyman Roth]

Must be a Tampon Tim suggestion

[Vaduz]

Senior House Appropriations Committee members Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.).

Democrats vote hunting with new bait.

[Buttons12]

I know someone who can’t afford to get an abscessed tooth pulled, and Medicaid doesn’t cover that, though it can kill a person. Far as I know, Medicare doesn’t cover it either. But free fem hyg stuff? yay! And why stop there, let’s have free soap and deo. And water! Who can live without water?
Once you accept the premise that you live to support others, there are no limits, and no absurdities.
Someone needs to invent the torch and pitchfork.

[ridesthemiles]

JUST ABOUT THE DUMBEST THING CONGRESS HAS PROPOSED.

VOTE THIS DOWN.

[ridesthemiles]

UNDER 12 cents each pad.

THESE same women have cell phones & PAY tv.

[GailA]

Nor are dentures, glasses, or hearing aids. Under insurance. Tricare Life will cover the ‘disabled’ service person, but not spouse if the loss of teeth or hearing is service connected. Otherwise NO. As a spouse I’m excluded all 3. I require a high end severe hearing loss set of Aids, $5,800 this year. Just glasses lenses are $400.