Benefits and exclusions are based on archaic patriarchal practices

Benefits and exclusions are based on archaic patriarchal practices enforced by a board of majority white men. The inability to tailor medical aid packages to the members’ needs places members in an adverse disadvantaged position.

I am quite disappointed that Discovery did not even bother to heed my request for a meeting or to consider an application for breast reduction surgery even though it was backed up with medical recommendations.

Breast reduction is not a cosmetic procedure and causes chronic back pain, rashes and roasties from physical activities as well as mental health complications due to self-confidence diminutions. Studies have shown that 95% of women that have breast reduction surgeries are happy and experience a massive improvement in their lives. Breast reduction significantly improved quality of life in women (AFESA Research Group Does breast reduction surgery improve health-related quality of life? A prospective cohort study in Australian women https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/***1/). “When women who had breast reduction surgery were surveyed, more than 95% said they were very satisfied with the results and the boost in their quality of life that they’d do it all over again” (Five Reasons Why Breast Reduction Surgery Has Such a High Satisfaction Rate https://www.mchughplasticsurgery.com/blog/five-reasons-why-breast-reduction-surgery-has-such-a-high-satisfaction-rate). Furthermore, breast reduction surgery has the following benefits: 1. Eliminates chronic back pain, neck and shoulder pain 2. Allows a return to an active lifestyle 3. Regains confidence and self esteem 4. Improves poster and breathing 5. Allows one to enjoy clothes again

The inability to even consider such a surgery shows that Discovery does not care and would rather have their members live in pain or self-harm due to the adverse psychological effects, just to ensure that shareholders earn a higher return. Full cover was not even requested, but merely the hospital fees. I am more than happy to waive child birth and care benefits for other procedures that are more needed and those options should be available as they will be much cheaper than the costs of having a child. Discovery should really investigate changing their rigid policies to a more tailored approach and hopefully the courts can intervene to enable members of such contracts with such large corporations to have equal footing and negotiate terms. The company I work for requires medical aid to be taken as such I cannot opt out but to pay over R32k a year to Discovery whereby I only use +-R6k of savings that are sparingly given to members. That translates to approximately over 200k ((30-6)*8)over the last 8 years that were given to Discovery which could have paid for 3 – 4 breast reduction surgeries. I understand that the risk is spread across members, but if it really was then to avoid costs on chiropractic or physio services as well as mental health benefits it should be considered. Furthermore, as a listed entity, performing triple bottom line reporting, discovery customer’s bodily integrity and mental well-being should be a top priority.

Studies show that men prefer larger breast due to oppressive patriarchal ideals of ***ism and to objectify women (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/***0/). Thus allowing men to enforce their power over women which can be perceived as the reason why a majority male board has specifically excluded breast reductions as a benefit. In a Constitutional state this type of unfair ************** should not exist. It is understandable that breast enlargements are beautification or cosmetic. Breast reduction is definitely not a form of beautification, it is rather a means to grab a grip back on one’s life due to the problems that larger breasts cause, especially when such breasts are too large for one’s frame. I do not have indebt knowledge of the Discovery policies in full, however, it was previously noted that the reconstruction of male *******ia is included which emphasises the discontent of the unfair ************** that women face. Maybe if men had to walk around with 5 – 10kg weights strapped to their chests they might feel different about having this as an exclusion.

Thus, I am not asking to beautify myself I am simply asking to better my quality of life.