PATIENT CARE AND WOMEN

Women Benefit Under the Act
By Victor M Adamus

Even though there is a perception of Republicans in 21 states waging war on women, in a huge way the Affordable Health Care Act has come to the rescue.  In fact, the mainstream media has reported the fact that coverage for women will have a profound effect on millions of women which extends beyond the birth control issue or a woman’s right to choose an abortion.  State Legislators passing laws to shut down abortion clinics as way to bypass Roe vs. Wade, a constitutional decision giving women the right to privacy, can rely on the federal law to address those issues.

This August, women will be able to obtain contraception under the law, well-women visits are free, screenings for sexually transmitted infections and gestational diabetes, breastfeeding support and supplies, even domestic violence screenings are included, no co-pays or deductibles.  Furthermore 8.7 million women will now have the benefit of maternity coverage starting in 2014.

Women can’t be denied health coverage from preexisting conditions like breast cancer, pregnancy, diabetes, and a host of other health complaints normally either denied by the old insurance companies or charging women a higher premium.  Fact is, men and women now pay the same premiums under the new law.

"Being a woman, i.e., being able to give birth, is one of the primary issues for gender rating, and that is no longer allowed under the Affordable Care Act," said Dr. Paula Johnson, chief of the women's health division at Brigham Women's Hospital and a member of the Institute of Medicine panel that recommended preventative care coverage for women under the health care legislation. "The fact that insurers are no longer able to discriminate with regard to pre-existing illness is a major victory."

Currently, 62 percent of women insured by a health insurance carrier do not have maternity coverage.  Senior women will also see the benefit of a decrease in prescription drugs and medications.  The Affordable Health Care Act narrows the gap, closes the “donut hole” for men and women, and for those with chronic illnesses lowers the “out-of-pocket” costs.

The law covers 33 million Americans who currently have no insurance and those who benefit from Medicaid are covered by the federal government the first four years at 100% to give the states options to set up exchanges for plans people with low incomes can afford and credits to help meet a quality care insurance policy.

It’s a good law.  Once women understand the benefits of what is in the Affordable Care Act they will see the benefits themselves and realize this is only a start.  The law can be amended and improved in the future to advance single payer options and lower premiums for everyone because more Americans will be paying into the pool.