Breast cancer in men: Does Medicaid discriminate?
The disease affects thousands of men each year, but getting the government to help with their medical bills can be a real challenge
Though breast cancer primarily affects women (an estimated 230,000 per year in the U.S.), approximately 2,000 men are also diagnosed with the potentially deadly disease each year. Raymond Johnson, 26, of South Carolina is one of them. Last month, when he tried to get coverage from a Medicaid cancer treatment program, he was told that he didn't meet the eligibility requirement because he isn't a woman. Johnson says this is unfair, and is calling for the federal policy to be changed. "Cancer doesn't discriminate, so this program shouldn't discriminate," says Johnson. Is he right?
Yes. Medicaid clearly discriminates: The situation is "really wrong," says Jeff Stensland of South Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services, as quoted by ABCNews.com. That's why we're pushing the federal government to change their position and extend the program to cover men with breast cancer. But as long as Medicaid applies an "overly rigid interpretation" of the rules, men like Johnson will continue to suffer without adequate health care.
"Man with breast cancer denied Medicaid coverage because he's not a woman"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Regulations that limit screenings are to blame, too: Men who are at high risk of breast cancer (due to genetics or family history) should get properly screened, says Chris Spags at Guyism, but often, federal rules stand in the way. Since so few men suffer from breast cancer, Medicaid doesn't even cover screenings. No wonder Johnson is outraged.
"26-year-old denied treatment for breast cancer due to being male"
The root problem is America's patchwork medical coverage: "The real solution to this, of course, would be affordable universal health care," says Anna North at Jezebel. Our health care system leaves all sorts of people out in the cold — not just male breast cancer patients, but people with other types of cancer, too. The government "needs to figure out a way to fill the gaps in its coverage so that all patients in need have equal access to treatment."
"Man with breast cancer denied Medicaid coverage because he's not female"
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
The drive behind Germany's pro-Israel political consensus
Under the Radar Belief that Israel's security is a 'raison d'etre for the German republic' is under growing pressure
By The Week UK Published
-
'The House under GOP rule has become a hostile workplace'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
The Shohei Ohtani gambling scandal is about more than bad bets
In The Spotlight The firestorm surrounding one of baseball's biggest stars threatens to upend a generational legacy and professional sports at large
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Xi-Biden meeting: what's in it for both leaders?
Today's Big Question Two superpowers seek to stabilise relations amid global turmoil but core issues of security, trade and Taiwan remain
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Will North Korea take advantage of Israel-Hamas conflict?
Today's Big Question Pyongyang's ties with Russia are 'growing and dangerous' amid reports it sent weapons to Gaza
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published