According to the Feminist Majority Foundation women fair worse than men under todays health care policies and therefore are more in need of reform.
-Women frequently pay higher premiums than men for the same coverage. Also, group plans predominantly composed
of women workers pay higher premiums than groups composed predominantly of men workers.
-Maternity benefits frequently excluded.
-Reproductive health services are costly and too often not covered. Birth control for women of reproductive age is the
highest out-of-pocket expense.
-More women than men are either uninsured or underinsured (45% of women compared to 39% of men.) [3] This is even
higher for women of color as compared to white women.
-Women pay a higher share of income than men for health care largely because they earn less.
-Women have greater difficulty paying medical bills than men. Principally because of lower wages.
-Women without insurance coverage or underinsured forgo preventive care.
-Some 40% of women without insurance coverage do not get annual Pap tests for cervical cancer or some STIs. [6]
-About one in five women have not received a mammogram in the past two years. [6]
-U.S. ranks a shameful 42nd among nations of the world in maternal mortaility rates -- highest among industrial
nations. For African American women maternal mortality rate is three times that for white women. [6]
-Women are the principal health care deciders for families and make 80% of all family health care decisions. [6]
Read about what women might gain with health care reform.
What do you think about this argument by the Feminist Majority Foundation? What is your opinion about health care reform in general?
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Sources:
1. White House , Women for Health Insurance Reform, Summer 2009 (www.whitehouse.gov).
2. National Partnership for Women and Families.
3. National Women's Law Center.
4. U.S. Census Bureau.
5. America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 (H.R. 3200).
6. Women and Health Care Reform (www.womenhealthcarereform.org).
7. Affordable Health Choices Act [S. 1679].
3 comments:
I don't understand why they would make women pay more than men. I would think that because women usually get paid less that it's harder for them to pay their bills on time, but if the Health Care people would make men pay a higher wage, they would get a more reliable on time payment.
It is ridiculous how woman's work is devalued in todays society. They are already paid less than men, and they have to pay more for health care? Whats wrong with society? Why are women not equally valued as men are. The health care programs should be reformed. Its unfair women are paid less, and typically work harder.
This is just another example of how women still have so far to go to be equal to males. I think it is absolutely ridiculous that females make less and are expected to pay more for health insurance. I am a female and this argument has outraged me. Why are females treated so unfair still today? I think that this new health care reform could be a good thing as far as making health insurance more equal for females. My favorite part of the new bill is that insurance companies would have to completely cover preventative things such as pap smears. Seriously, it is about time. I also like that they are setting a maximum of $5,000 so bankruptcy can’t happen to those who can’t pay these high expenses. I really hope that this bill can help with this problem because I don’t want to think about how my life will be impacted as a woman if this is not set in progress.
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