Insurance for stigmatized outcomes cannot work

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

Here's your auto insurance policy. It covers most things, but there are a few supplemental riders available.

For instance, for $10 you can add coverage for when you try to step on the brake but step on the gas instead and then you floor the gas pedal because you are so sure your foot is on the brake that you stomp down to stop the car... and you run someone over and get sued.

Without the extra payment you are not covered if you do that.

Nobody is going to buy that supplemental coverage even though it's a fairly common sort of accident. Why not? Because it is insurance against THEM being an idiot. "Since that is under my control I know it will never happen..."

But it happens.

If coverage for having an unusual object lodged in your rectum was only available as a specific supplemental nobody would buy it. Seriously... can you imagine anyone checking that box? But it's not an uncommon reason for emergency room visits.

There is a reason auto, home-owners and health insurance cover all sorts of things you don't plan or expect. Things happen.

Now then...

If woman is legally REQUIRED to buy health insurance and she cannot afford it she will need a federal subsidy. That subsidy, no matter how small, means she is not allowed to buy any broad policy that covers full reproductive health services and accept the subsidy.

But she can buy supplemental coverage out of pocket so it's all cool!

Triple bullshit.

First, as discussed, people are not likely to buy specific insurance against seemingly stupid or shameful things they might do. People are convinced they will not do those things, at least not when shopping for insurance. "Honey, should I get the supplemental coverage for losing a hand trying to trim the hedge by holding the the lawn-mower over my head?" Another example: A woman who is pro-life but has never had to make the decision is obviously not going to pay even a dime extra for an abortion policy. But she may find she is less uncompromisingly pro-life when push comes to shove.

Second, the supplemental coverage would be a rip-off. (Any supplemental for one procedure is going to be much more expensive than covering the procedure would add to a broad policy. Check out the cost of insurance when you rent a car versus the cost of your annual auto policy that probably covers rental cars as a throw-in feature.)

Third, we have already established that the woman cannot afford to pay more! That's why the government is giving her money in the first place.