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On the Importance of Health Care Reform to Women
Washington,
Nov 5 -
Madam Speaker:
Few Americans have more at stake in health care reform than women.
40 states allow private health insurance companies to gender rate their premiums. As a result, a 25 year old woman may pay between 6 percent and 45 percent more than a 25 year old man for the same coverage.
52 percent of women reported postponing or forgoing medical care because of cost. Only 39 percent of men report having had those experiences.
9 states allow private plans to refuse coverage for domestic violence survivors.
88 percent of private insurance plans do not cover comprehensive maternity care.
In many policies, a previous c-section and being pregnant are considered pre-existing conditions.
Less than half of all women in America have employer-sponsored insurance. This is partly due to the fact that more women tend to work for small businesses or have part-time jobs where health insurance is not offered.
Women matter. Health care reform matters. I urge my colleagues support for change to a broken system.
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