[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 61 (Tuesday, May 17, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 17, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        EQUALITY IN HEALTH CARE

  (Mrs. SCHROEDER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. SCHROEDER. Madam Speaker, universal health care coverage is 
critical to women who have difficulty qualifying for health insurance 
and are particularly at risk of losing it. Women are significantly more 
likely than men to be part-time, temporary, or seasonal employees. As a 
result, they are less likely to qualify for employer sponsored health 
plans, and are most vulnerable to losing their insurance through 
changes in employment and marital status.
  However, universality is not enough. In order to provide full 
equality to women, health care reform must include equitable coverage 
for preventive health services, such as pap smears and mammographies. 
Full reproductive health services including abortion, family planning 
services, pregnancy-related care, and postreproductive care is also 
required to ensure a comprehensive system. This is not a political 
debate over mammography or abortion--rather it is the essence of health 
equity for women. It is only by covering the full range of our health 
care needs, that we will be treated as full citizens with equal access 
to the health care system.

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