Senate Approves Women's Health Amendment

Article here. On a personal note, I recently had a PSA test as a preventive measure because several men in my family have died of prostate cancer. My health insurance did not cover the test and I ended up paying $300 out of pocket. As it turns out, I had a fairly common condition called asymptomatic prostatitis. Without the test, I never would have known. Fortunately, a couple weeks of antibiotics and I was fine. My point is this, what about the guy who can't afford $300? Untreated prostatitis can lead to Benign prostatic hyperplasia -- a life long condition. I guess male reproductive organs have little value. Excerpt:

'The Women’s Health Amendment would require health plans to cover comprehensive preventive care and screenings that address women’s unique health care needs without cost sharing. Currently, coverage of comprehensive preventive health care is not guaranteed at zero cost sharing under the bill — for example, regular well-women visits, breast exams, and contraceptive services are not required to be covered at zero cost sharing.

This amendment would require that, in addition to the care and screenings specified in the recommendations of the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), the women’s preventive care outlined by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)-supported guidance would also be covered at no cost to patients. The Women’s Health Amendment is critical to guaranteeing that access to women’s comprehensive preventive health care is increased under the health care reform bill.'