The Obama administration announced on Thursday, April 3 that same-sex married couples can qualify for Medicare hospital and physician benefits. This is the first time in history that same-sex couples are being recognized in the medical industry.
The decision came after a 2013 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down a federal ban against same-sex marriage. It allows the Social Security Administration (SSA) to determine the eligibility of married gay applicants to Medicare, the federal government’s healthcare program for the elderly and the disabled.
The United States Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) said the government has begun the enrollment process for some same-sex spouses while handling requests for special enrollment periods from others. CMS oversees the $635 billion Medicare program, but SSA determines couples eligibility.
In today’s society, we are seeing more individuals come out about their sexual orientations. Many people are doing this because society has become more aware that there is not one type of sexual orientations. In the past 30 to 40 years, people have been able to do studies on different sexual orientation and been able to develop certain categories.
People are able to come “out of the closet” because younger generations have become more accepting of individuals being different. They have started a movement that even influences older generations to come out and accept who they truly are because there is a support system for them.
There is such a pressure on society to be different, leave your mark and stand out from everyone. Younger generations pressure each other to be outside of the box, which can help someone accept who they are.
Since more people are coming out it is easier for them to find a partner, move in and commit to a serious relationship. Not all states have legalized gay marriage, but why should a same-sex couple who can legally be married not be eligible for the same health care insurance packages that a heterosexual couple can have? It just makes sense to treat homosexual couples the same way as heterosexual couples.
Our society has been trying to make things equal for many years, whether it had to deal with race or class. Why should the way someone feels towards someone else matter? It is just love, there is nothing scary about it and we should not be the cause of stopping someone’s happiness. That is why there should be equal healthcare options for everyone. It is not right and does not make sense to make a couple have separate health care options. Someone should not have to watch his or her loved one die, because he or she could not have health care or afford the same health care option. It is exciting to see that our government is moving forward and realizing to accept everyone.
It is amazing to think how naïve it was for individuals to think black and white people could not go to school or ride the same bus. This whole same-sex marriage issue will look ridiculous 30 years from now. Let’s look out for a healthier future for everyone.
