This year, the business women’s health landscape will change completely. Some of the changes will be unpredictable, and they’ll happen sooner than anticipated. As for the impact – it’s safe to say that it will be huge. In the past 10 years, we’ve seen lots of things change in the women healthcare system. Insurers are no longer allowed to charge women more money than men for the exact same product. Furthermore, preventive care such as birth control, mammograms, and cervical cancer screenings has increased. Which potential change in the women’s healthcare system have the best chances to impact women’s health this year?
Paid maternity leave might become mandatory
First, the good news. President Trump recently said that he agrees to 6 weeks of paid maternity leave for recent mothers. Apparently, over 82% of the people in the US agree with him. If the administration passes the policy this 2017, it could mean a lot. Why should women be entitled to receive paid maternity leave? First of all because it has positive mental health benefits and it helps women live a better, and more relaxed lifestyle.
In the corporate world, business leaders have begun supporting the women more. It’s not necessarily out of benevolence or generosity, but because it might actually help improve their bottom line. Health costs for women in business, especially around pregnancy and fertility, often imply very high costs. The good news is that companies acknowledge a woman’s need to have a family, and they’re willing to pay them to stay on maternity leave in the hopes that they’ll come back to keep working for them afterwards.
Companies targeted at women
Insurance companies, government facilities, startups, and hospitals used to be targeted at men. In the US, the healthcare industry prevails. Since women care more for children and their loved ones than men, they currently make up 80% of the workforce in healthcare facilities. However, only 4% of CEOs in the healthcare industry are women. Things have started to change, as more women have proven to have excellent entrepreneurship spirit. LOLA, Thinx, Naya Health, Ritua, Elvie, and Bellabeat are some of the most popular health companies in the US that are targeted at women.
The perks of being a female nurse practitioner
It’s tough to find competent physicians and doctors these days through conventional insurance companies. As a consequence, there’s been an increase in female nurse practitioners who are willing to provide care at home when patients can’t or find the right doctor, or can’t afford one. In December 2016, a new law was passed. The goal is to allow nurse practitioners to deliver basic care to veterans without being supervised by a physician.
Working in the healthcare system as woman
As a woman, working in the healthcare system is not something new. Most of today’s nurses are women. However, not that many are hospital administrators, surgeons, or managers. For ages, we’ve gotten used to the stigma that women are more sensitive than men. They’re too sentimental and can’t make important decisions without getting involved. Basically, when it comes to “pulling the plug” or firing people, women get too involved emotionally, and they can’t stay detached.
Nonetheless, over the past couple of years they’ve started to understand that unless they step up, it’s literally impossible for them to succeed; especially in the healthcare industry where everything happens fast, and we have to make rush decisions every single day. For a female entrepreneur to be able to make herself respect, she has to instill a sense of authority. There’s no time to be soft and let your emotions get the best of you.
Contrary to popular belief, women are not necessarily weak when it comes to dealing with the unpredictable. Sadly, when it comes to the healthcare system, everything is unpredictable. Unless you learn to work under pressure, it will impossible for you to succeed. Whether you’re the CEO of a top-notch hospital or a nurse handing out supplements and looking after patients, there’s no doubt that women can do a lot. What they must strive to do is give up their emotions; in the healthcare system, emotions can greatly affect your judgement.
NB: This is a guest post
Responses