Ensure Comprehensive Benefits

Women are more likely than men to need health care services throughout their lifetime and to have conditions which require ongoing care. Many choose to forgo necessary health services because their ‘bare bones’ health plans do not cover benefits – particularly related to reproductive health – yet women need to have regular check-ups and screenings for reproductive cancers, both during and after their reproductive years. Reforms that provide the most comprehensive benefits at the most affordable cost will go the farthest to improve women’s health and financial security.

In a recent national survey, 52% of women reported delaying services, compared with 39% of men.[i]

Women during their reproductive years ages 15-44 spend 68% more on their health care than men do during those years.[ii]

After reviewing 3,500 policies available to 30-year-old healthy women, the National Women’s Law Center found that only 12% included comprehensive maternity coverage. [iii] Women who purchased optional maternity coverage (called a maternity rider) spent up to $1,000 per month in out-of-pocket expenses.[iv]

Over 23% of women ages 40- 59 in the U.S. have not had a mammogram in the last two years[v]

Health Reform must cover the full range of reproductive services:

• Comprehensive prevention and sex education
  
• Routine gynecological care
  
• Screening for cervical and other cancers
  
• Family planning services
  
• Infertility Treatment
  
• Sterilization
  
• Abortion

Health Reform must require coverage for comprehensive benefits that include:

• Expanded preventive care including mammograms, pap smears, and screenings for domestic violence, colorectal cancer and other cancers, osteoporosis, blood pressure and sexually transmitted infections
  
• Maternity care as a basic benefit including prenatal, birth, and postpartum care; and prohibiting insurers from categorizing maternity care as a separate, second-tier service with additional costs
  
• Prescription drugs coverage that includes contraceptives
  
  

The statistics are clear: Women need Health Care Reform!
To learn more go to: HealthReform.gov and National Women’s Law Center