As recent as this summer, I read an article about how Ohio doctors can deny LGBTQ patients healthcare based on their personal moral preferences. Although this bill does not particularly allow medical providers to deny medical care in general to members of the LGBTQ community, it allows them to deny certain procedures or prescriptions. These procedures would have to violate the practitioners “moral, ethical, or religious beliefs” (Ohio Allows Doctors to Deny LGBT Health Care on Moral Grounds). This is definitely an example of blatant discrimination as it further perpetuates the issue of access for care for the LGBTQ community. These “moral and ethical” beliefs are often rooted in hatred and a general lack of acceptance to those in the LGBTQ community. This is wrong because as a healthcare provider, it is their job to remain unattached to their personal beliefs in order to do what is in the best interest for the patient. This new provision allows the healthcare system to further oppress members of the LGBTQ community. Even if a patient has to be referred to another practitioner for a certain procedure, that is still time and money that has been wasted on the patients end. This issue does not just impact the LGBTQ community though–it could impact women as well. Women who need birth control or certain medical procedures such as an abortion can be denied coverage if the provider is against such medications. This is worrisome, especially as medications such as birth control is used for a variety of different reasons, not just as a contraceptive. Overall, this bill is outright unethical and puts the healthcare needs of many marginalized communities at an unfair disadvantage. In order to combat this injustice, we need to advocate against this bill and push to have the provision that outlines such injustices to be revised.
This injustice can be analyzed through DeBeauvoir’s the “One” and the “Other.” In this instance, the “One” would be heteronormative patients–specifically, heteronormative male patients. The “One” can also be interpreted as the physicians, as they have the power to give care to everyone, yet they now have the ability to refuse to do so. As seen in the article, both women and members of the LGBTQ community can be impacted negatively by this provision, thus making them the “Other.” These patients are powerless in such situations, right in line with DeBeauvoir’s interpretation of the “Other.”
This photo shows Mike Dewine in a press conference following the signing of the bill. (https://www.cleveland.com/opinion/2021/07/how-welcoming-is-ohio-dewine-just-made-it-decidedly-unwelcoming-for-lgbtq-individuals-eric-foster.html)
Related News Articles: https://www.fox19.com/2021/11/02/ohio-law-allowing-physicians-refuse-provide-medical-care-worries-lgbt-community/
https://www.advocate.com/politics/2021/7/08/ohio-governor-oks-license-discriminate-health-care
Works Cited:
Journal-News, Jordan Laird |. “Ohio Doctors Can Now Deny Service on Moral, Religious Grounds.” WCPO, WCPO, 5 July 2021, https://www.wcpo.com/news/government/state-government/ohio-state-government-news/ohio-doctors-can-now-deny-service-on-moral-religious-grounds.
Winter, Hannah Murphy. “Ohio Allows Doctors to Deny LGBTQ Health Care on Moral Grounds.” Rolling Stone, Rolling Stone, 7 July 2021, https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/ohio-lgbtq-health-care-1193948/.
I feel like this is a very difficult topic to discuss. On one hand, it seems wrong for anyone to be denied care because of their sexuality or if they want an abortion, but on the other hand, it seems wrong for someone to be forced to perform acts that they see as immoral.
I agree that it is a difficult topic, especially regarding abortion.
Great job with writing a post regarding such a common and difficult problem in society today. This definitely relates to the “one” and “other” ideas we have discussed in class, and it is very sad that problems like this still occur today.
I really enjoyed reading your post. Your post discussed some valuable information that is a true problem in our world today. Medical providers denying healthcare to LGBTQ is a serious issue, and I like how you related this issue to the “One” and “Other” ideas that we have previously learned about.