Health

This Congressman's Take on Prenatal Care Shocked the Internet

March 10th 2017

During a hearing on the Republican party's proposed Obamacare replacement on Thursday, two lawmakers got into a heated exchange over prenatal care that shocked some observers, according to Raw Story. 

Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill.) said men shouldn't have to pay for prenatal care in their health insurance. Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Penn.) was thrown off by the statement.

“There’s no such thing as a la carte insurance, John,” Doyle said. 

“That’s the point! That’s the point!” Shimkus responded. “We want the consumer to be able to go to the insurance market and be able to negotiate on a plan that —”

“You tell me what insurance company will do that,” Doyle interrupted. “There isn’t a single insurance company in the world that does that, John.”

As one Twitter user pointed out, insurance covering prenatal care could help male children and fathers, despite Shimkus arguing men don't need it.

Prenatal care helps ensure a mother births a health baby, and can include things like diet changes and exercise in addition to medications and doctor visits. If it is not covered by insurance, though, expecting mothers may wnot be able to get the care they need.

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