That there is, despite the GOP/Fox News claim to the contrary, a "war on women," was shown on this morning's Fox & Friends. The contempt with which the Fox/right wing patriarchy holds women was underscored by John Stossel and Steve Doocy who not only defended gender inequality in health care; but mocked the ACA's attempts to resolve it. And what made it even worse was than there was no woman taking part in the discussion - a void that was reminiscent of the GOP congressional hearing on contraception which featured a panel of men only. And this isn't the first time that Fox & Friends hosted a gender baiting segment that promoted higher insurance costs for women. But when that happened, much to her credit, Gretchen Carlson jumped in and told it like it was. Today, right wing testosterone prevailed. Once again, we're reminded that the GOP war on women is very real and Fox is in its front lines!

It is a reality that women pay more for health care simply because they are women and insurance companies engage in "gender rating." Back in August, Fox & Friends hosted Dr. David Samadi who argued that women should pay more for health care because they use it more. His claim was met with scorn, from former Fox friend Gretchen Carlson who noted that because women use preventative care more than men, they should be charged less. In exasperation, she said "women live longer, let's kill them off." Samadi faced a barrage of criticism regarding his position that women should pay more for health health care fees should be more for women, many of whom are the "breadwinners" in the family, whose wages, on average, are less than men, and who pay 1 billion more annually for their health care. The ghost of right wing memes past was front and center on this morning's Fox & Friends men's show which, in scapegoating women as part of the "takers" class, defended gender discrimination in health care.

Steve Doocy, whose wife is, most likely, covered by a nice Fox News health care plan, began by noting that President Obama says how "Obama care is more than just a website [Doocy's speech got slower] that - doesn't -work but John Stossel says he's right; but that doesn't mean it's a good thing." Stossel had, as a visual aid for "thinking about cost," a package of papers that he claimed was the bill. Stossel whined that the bill (It's a law, John) "kills competition in the market, the only thing that makes things better." (Yeah, let's hear it for the right to deny folks, with pre-existing condition, health care.)

Stossel mocked the part of Obama's Boston speech in which Obama said, "in front of a group of women" that insurance companies can't charge women more. After asking Doocy when he last went to a doctor, Stossel, as did Dr. Samedi, noted that women go to doctors more frequently than men. Of course, the reality is that men are more likely to put off going to a doctor until they're really sick and that increases health care costs. The vile Stossel "joked" that the reason for why women seek health care is "maybe because they're smarter or they're hypochondriacs." He added, "but if it’s insurance, you ought to be able to charge people who use the services more, more."

Doocy then had some fun: "This administration, this president wants to make everything fair. It’s not fair if you pay less than she does." Stossel: "It's fair if you pay for what you use unless you're destitute." Doocy noted that "a number of Republicans" (read rich, older white conservative men) have made the argument, why should I pay for I’m in my 60s, why should I pay for your maternity." (But if Doocy and his pals get their way, women will be forced to give birth when abortion is criminalized and birth control is less accessible.) Stossel asked why women should pay for men's Viagra. Doocy giggled.

Doocy and Stossel then defended the right of health care consumers to have cheap health care plans that don't meet government standards. Stossel promoted health care savings accounts which are fine, until you run out of money - not something that Doocy and Stossel have to worry about.

Wow, seriously, just because we have lady parts, we need to pay more for our health care. How dare we women expect to be treated equally! Andrea Marcotte's reaction to Dr. Samedi's sexist commentary obtains here: "While it's not surprising that Fox News is in the business of trying to stoke male resentment of women by insinuating women are getting something for nothing, one would hope this ploy is beneath even the low standards of the Fox audience." Nuff said.

(2/12/20 Update: Video is no longer available)