Reform Provides Health Care Solutions for Women

WASHINGTON, DC (October 6, 2009) — Renewed demands to change the health care system for women were called for today by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-CA, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-IL, and members of the Democratic Women's Working Group. Women continue to face intense discrimination in both coverage and cost by insurance providers. However, health insurance reform legislation making its way through Congress would put an end to these unfair practices.

"Our health insurance reform legislation provides real solutions for real problems that women face everyday,... said Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Democratic Women's Working Group Chairwoman.

Women are doubly disadvantaged in today's health care market: women generally earn less than mean, 78 cents on the dollar, and overwhelmingly pay more for health care premiums than men, 48 percent more. The double-whammy of paying more and earning less forces women to delay medical care or having to declare medical bankruptcy. As a direct result of these two factors, women are at a greater risk of being "underinsured,... paying more than 10 percent of their income on health care costs.

What's worse is that any woman with health insurance will most likely have higher out-of-pocket costs than men. Routine health care needs, like gynecological exams or a monthly co-pay for birth control are reasons most often cited for the disparity. Also, private plans regularly deny coverage for pre-existing conditions that are unique to women or disproportionately affect them, such as being a survivor of domestic abuse or having undergone a cesarean section.

Health care reform will stop gender rating by preventing insurance companies from charging women more than men and will put and end to the practice of refusing care on the grounds of pre-existing conditions. These reforms will end gender discrimination and guarantee premium equity.

The need for health insurance reform isn't limited to girls and younger women. Older women can be charged up to 11 times more for coverage. Many older women just cannot afford those premiums and those below the age of 65 are forced to count the months and years until they can qualify for Medicare and receive the care they need.

The health reform Rep. Schakowsky is working toward would provide a solution for all women, young and old. First, the legislation ensures older women — and all individuals — can buy coverage at group rates. Second, the legislation limits age rating to 2 to 1, making coverage more affordable and available to all women.

The economic disadvantage impacts women their entire life. An older woman's median household income on Medicare is $23,400 — compared to $38,000 for a man. Older women with such limited incomes often have to skip preventive services like cancer screenings because they cannot afford the twenty percent copay and like their younger counterparts often go without the prescription drugs they need or skip doses. Health insurance reform would provide a solution for these women scraping along by elimination copayments for preventive services, and complete phase-out of the donut hole, beginning in 2011.

"The solutions we have provided through our plan for health insurance reform will improve health care for every stage of a woman's life,... said Rep. Schakowsky. "It is time to say 'enough is enough' and change the failed health insurance system in a way that brings real reform for our mothers, daughters, and grandmothers....