[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 77 (Tuesday, May 19, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1199-E1200]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     NATIONAL WOMEN'S HEALTH MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 19, 2009

  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of 
May as National Women's Health Month. This designation encourages women 
to make their own health a top priority by obtaining regular medical 
checkups and preventive screenings.
  As we urge women to prioritize their own health care, we must also 
call attention to the disproportionate impact the health care crisis is 
having on women, particularly women of childbearing age.
  In fact, earlier this month the Department of Health and Human 
Services released a new report, titled Roadblocks to Health Care: Why 
the Current Health Care System Does Not Work for Women which states 
that women, especially those of reproductive age, are more vulnerable 
to high health care costs because they require more regular contact 
with health care providers, including yearly Pap tests, mammograms, and 
obstetric and gynecological care.
  While the study sheds much needed light on the impact of the nation's 
health care crisis on women, its findings are not surprising.
  Last year, I had the opportunity to visit a women's health clinic run 
by Planned Parenthood and saw first hand patients seeking the 
affordable, accessible, high-quality preventive reproductive health 
care.
  At Planned Parenthood clinics, health professionals provide over 
950,000 cervical cancer screenings and breast exams to more than 
850,000 women. Sexually transmitted disease testing and treatment are 
performed and made available to both women and men. In fact, 97 percent 
of the services provided at these clinics are preventative.
  In Virginia alone these clinics provide basic health care, including 
lifesaving cancer screenings, to over 28,500 patients a year. But these 
clinics are only meeting a fraction of the need in my state. There are 
846,100 women in need of contraceptive services and supplies. Of these, 
371,640 women need publicly supported contraceptive services because 
they have incomes below 250 percent of the federal poverty level 
(251,710) or are sexually active teenagers (119,930). Eleven percent of 
women aged 15-44 have incomes below the federal poverty level, and 18 
percent of all women in this age-group are uninsured (i.e., do not have 
private health insurance or Medicaid coverage).
  Increasing health insurance coverage for women is essential. 
Approximately 17 million American women have no health insurance 
coverage. It's critical that health care reform requires coverage of 
comprehensive reproductive health services.
  With the economic downturn, these health centers have seen a 
significant increase in utilization, just as their funding streams, 
both

[[Page E1200]]

public and private, have become more precarious. Across the country, 
they are seeing an increase in patients--women who have lost their jobs 
and health insurance, or who no longer have money to pay for medical 
care. These women are literally choosing between a month of birth 
control and bus fare.
  Planned Parenthood health centers are part of an important network of 
women's health care providers and serve as a critical entry point into 
the health care system for millions of women.
  In fact, Guttmacher reports more than six in ten clients consider 
family planning centers their main source of health care. Oftentimes, 
it is their first interaction with the country's health care system.
  This is why increasing health insurance coverage is not enough. 
Ensuring access to a strong network of health care providers is 
fundamental to improving health care coordination and quality outcomes.
  A strong women's health care infrastructure must be developed as we 
proceed with health care reform. Women need preventative services for 
reproductive and general health. Planned Parenthood clinics are 
providing these services now and we should make sure they continue to 
do so.

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