[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 40 (Thursday, March 18, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H1628-H1629]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTH CARE REFORM TO WOMEN

  (Ms. HIRONO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, it bears repeating, few Americans have more 
at stake in health care reform than women.
  Forty States allow private health insurance companies to gender rate 
their premiums. As a result, a 25-year-old woman may pay between 6 
percent and 45 percent more than a 25-year-old man to get the same 
coverage.
  Fifty-two percent of women reported postponing or forgoing medical 
care because of cost. Only 39 percent of men reported having had those 
experiences.

[[Page H1629]]

  Nine States allow private plans to refuse coverage for domestic 
violence survivors.
  Eighty-eight percent of private insurance plans do not cover 
comprehensive maternity care. In many policies, a previous C-section 
and being pregnant are considered preexisting conditions.
  Less than half of all women in America have employer-sponsored 
insurance. This is partly due to the fact that more women tend to work 
for small businesses or have part-time jobs where health insurance is 
not offered, certainly the case in Hawaii.
  It's time for reform.

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