Growing up in a military family, I never worried about my health care. First, because I was a child and didn’t think about the costs associated with my yearly doctor and dentist visits. Second, because active-duty military service members are well taken care of by Tricare.
As I got older, I began to notice the cracks in the system, especially regarding reproductive care in the military. I saw how access to appointments could vary depending on the administration in office, how some of my concerns weren’t taken seriously, and how mental health was often disregarded for everyone. This became an issue I couldn’t ignore.
Even now, as a dependent of a military service member, I recognize my privilege when it comes to health care and reproductive care. I have access to birth control that lasts up to five years and a supportive family that prioritizes my reproductive health as a young woman striving for success. However, I also understand the challenges people outside the military face regarding health care and reproductive care, and I am ready to advocate on their behalf.