UBI and Universal Healthcare are Feminist Issues
When we talk about UBI and Universal Healthcare, we gloss over how UBI and Universal Healthcare could benefit millions of people.
The first time I met with a caseworker at Victim Witness Services, I was terrified they’d kick me out of their office for wasting their time. Victim Witness Services is an organization that helps victims, survivors, and witnesses of crimes navigate the judicial system and community services.
I sat in the office with the caseworker because I had reached out to them for help leaving a toxic living situation. But, was it toxic enough to qualify for these services? Or, was I being too sensitive?
The caseworker listened to all that I had to say, asked clarifying questions, and then… didn’t throw me out the door or chastise me for wasting their time. They validated my experience and offered me all the services available to help someone leave an abusive situation.
Victim Witness Services helped me plan to leave, gave me free therapy sessions with a crisis counselor, offered me space at the women’s shelter and boarding for my dogs for 2 weeks at the local animal shelter, and helped connect me with other assistance programs.
Unfortunately, there were many things they couldn’t assist me with because the funds for it just don’t exist. Like helping me afford to leave. Leaving is surprisingly expensive.
The Stats
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, more than 10 million adults in the United States experience domestic violence per year.
That’s more people than the entire populations of New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, Montana, Delaware, South and North Dakota, Alaska, Vermont, and Wyoming combined.
That’s about the same number of people as the entire population of Michigan, which is the 10th most populous state in the country.
10 million is a fuck ton of people.
One of the main reasons people stay in abusive situations is finances, or a lack of them. One of the primary reasons people return to abusive situations after leaving is financial insecurity.
UBI and Universal Healthcare
Two things that would alleviate this crisis are Universal Basic Income (UBI) and Universal Healthcare.
If you’re unfamiliar with UBI, here are three videos that will explain what Universal Basic Income is, how a program like this might work, and why UBI should be implemented:
- What is universal basic income? | CNBC Explains
- Why we should give everyone a basic income | Rutger Bregman | TEDxMaastricht
- The case for a universal basic income | Free Lunch on Film - Financial Times
What each of these videos neglects to mention, though, is how it could greatly benefit victims and survivors of abuse.
Turning the Post Office into a Bank
Something I experienced around the time I left my parents was the messed up nature of our banking system.
I was scammed, and because I fell for the scam, the bank put me on a list that prevented me from using banking institutions, credit cards, loans, etc., for 5 years. You can end up on this list for many reasons, and it’s next to impossible to get your name removed before the ban period ends.
But getting put on this list is not the only reason why someone may lack a bank entirely or be “underbanked”. Something as simple as a bad credit score can keep you from opening a checking or savings account, and if the financial institutions do let you become a customer, the fees are usually unreasonable.
I saw somewhere that we should add banking services onto the postal system. It wouldn’t be the first time the post office offered financial services.
Because the post office has offices in almost every community in the United States, it would mean more people would have access to these services. If this existed in conjunction with UBI, it would mean easier implementation of a Universal Basic Income program, more people would have a secure place to manage their finances, and people leaving abusive situations would have somewhere safe they could keep their money—even if their credit was bad from experiencing financial abuse, for example.
Universal Healthcare
UBI is important, but there’s an important piece of the puzzle that needs to be put into place either before or at the same time Universal Basic Income is implemented: Universal Healthcare.
When healthcare is tied to employment, it leaves everyone who lacks a job vulnerable to the whims of luck. One of the statistics from the National Coalition for Domestic Violence was that 21-60% of people who experience intimate partner violence lose their jobs for reasons related to the abuse. This means many of them lose their health insurance, too.
Living in an abusive situation is stressful, and stress can put a lot of strain on the body. There’s also the mental toll it takes. People leaving abusive situations often need healthcare, either for their corporeal form or for their mental health, and lacking these resources can make getting your life on track next to impossible. I was lucky that the organization I saw was able to provide mental health services, but many people who leave abusive situations are doing it without assistance, or maybe with the help of a support system, but they might not know what kind of services are available—if there are any—or how to go about getting them.
Putting it all together
The crisis facing victims and survivors of abuse is a festering sore on this country. It needs immediate, powerful treatment, and there are two solutions that must be taken together to do the most good: UBI and Universal Healthcare. Millions of people would have a better shot at successfully leaving abusive situations and could instead create a life where they can grow and thrive.
Had UBI and Universal Healthcare been a thing when I was leaving, I might not have racked up so much debt or had to experience homelessness. The people who helped me leave might have been less burnt out. Overall, the benefits far out-weigh any risks.
So what do we do?
There are three things you can do that will help move the needle forward.
Talk to your friends and family about UBI and Universal Healthcare. Too many people have misconceptions about these programs, and sometimes the best place to get new information from is a friend.
Message your representatives. There are many places where you can find scripts to modify so you don't have to worry about trying to figure out what to say.
Share this post with anyone who might be interested in learning why it's essential to implement these programs as soon as possible.
An excellent piece of journalism