Townhall
Question of the Day: Can Men Have Babies?
by Katie Pavlich
Oct 30, 2013

Can men have babies? That was the basis of a question asked posed to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius by Republican Congresswoman Renee Ellmers earlier today on Capitol Hill. It might seem like a silly question, because the answer is obvious, but under new Obamacare regulations young, healthy and single men are forced to pay for healthcare plans that include maternity coverage.

Ellmers: You also brought up the issue that when you were in Kansas [as health Commissioner and governor] that you fought against discriminatory issues… As far as [ObamaCare's] essential health benefits, correct me if I'm wrong: do men not have to buy maternity care?

Sebelius: Policies will cover maternity coverage. For the young and healthy, uh, under thirty year-olds will have a choice also of a catastrophic plan that has no maternity coverage.

Ellmers: But men are required to purchase maternity coverage.

Sebelius: Well, an insurance policy has a series of benefits whether you use them or not…

Ellmers: And that is why health care premiums are increasing, because we are forcing them to buy things that they will never need. Thank you.

Sebelius: The individual policies cover families. Men often do need maternity care for their spouses and for their families, yes.

Ellmers: A single male, aged 32, does need maternity coverage. To the best of your knowledge, has a man ever delivered a baby?

Sebelius: I don't think so.

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