http://nhregister.com/articles/2010/03/07/news/new_haven/doc4b9339392d419433330207.txt
New Haven Independent: http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/let_women_know_this_bills_for_you/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Kaelan Richards
March 6, 2010 (202) 225-3661
SPEAKER PELOSI, DELAURO, LARSON CHAMPION WOMEN’S HEALTH BENEFITS IN HEALTH REFORM BILL
Washington, DC – Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi joined Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, Congressman John Larson, and Dr. Carolyn Mazure, Director of Women's Health Research at Yale University, in a panel discussion on the benefits for women included in the health reform legislation pending in Congress.
The panel discussed a wide range of issues, including accessibility, affordability, and the impact that health care reform will have on women of all ages. The reforms will profoundly transform women’s lives for the better, and include a comprehensive approach to women’s health that covers everything from maternity care to mammograms.
Currently, four out of five women with individual market policies have no maternity coverage whatsoever. Having a child, or having had a c-section, or being a victim of domestic violence are all too often treated as “pre-existing conditions” by an insurance industry eager to cut corners for profit. And women routinely pay more than men for less coverage, under the arcane and discriminatory practice of “gender rating.” Not only will the proposed reforms provide coverage to 30 million currently-uninsured Americans, they will lower premiums for families, invest in preventative and wellness care, and rein in abusive insurance company practices.
“Women are the primary consumers of health care for their families,” said Speaker Pelosi. “They pay more for care and face greater discrimination in the insurance market. When we pass health insurance reform, unfair practices will end. Insurance abuses – against women and every American – will be a thing of the past. And being a woman will no longer be a pre-existing condition.”
“It was an honor to welcome Speaker Pelosi to New Haven, and I applaud all that she has done in getting health care reform to this point—we are closer now to passing comprehensive reforms than we have ever been,” said Congresswoman DeLauro. “Our reforms will save lives. They will help all women get the care they need, at all stages of life. As the panel today illustrated in detail, the proposed reforms offer a comprehensive approach to women’s health that will mark a fundamental positive change for America’s women and their families, and that will at last put our health on an equal footing.”
"Women have the most to gain from the passage of comprehensive health reform. They will no longer be discriminated against based on their gender or a pre-existing condition and insurance companies won't be able to consider pregnancy, domestic violence or in-vitro fertilization a pre-existing condition,” Congressman John B. Larson said. “It is time for the women of America to stand with us and get this legislation passed.”
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DeLauro.House.Gov
Video Excerpt: Part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KInj4XsIZg8
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