[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 40 (Thursday, March 18, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H1632]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         WOMEN AND HEALTH CARE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I can remember when women 
couldn't get credit cards in their own names, when drug companies 
didn't run tests on women, and when women were told that secretarial 
school was about the only career option they had. Even as recently as a 
year ago, women didn't have the same fair-pay rights and protections in 
the workplace as men have until this Congress voted to change that.
  It takes women speaking up to make unfair and discriminatory 
practices like those a thing of the past, which is why we must speak up 
for this health care bill.
  I would ask opponents of this reform to think of a woman in their 
life--whether it's a mother, a grandmother, a sister, an aunt, a 
daughter, or even a friend--think about her and ask yourself, is it 
right that insurance companies can deny her coverage based on gender? 
Is it right that insurance companies charge her more because she's a 
woman? Should women be turned away by insurance companies for such 
preexisting conditions as pregnancy, giving birth by C-section, or 
being the victim of domestic abuse? Should 80 percent of mothers in my 
State of California not be offered maternity coverage in the individual 
market? Should women who often rely on a spouse's insurance because 
they are taking care of children be more vulnerable if they are 
divorced or widowed?
  If you don't think these things are right, then you should support 
this bill.
  The American Medical Association that represents professional 
caretakers of our country, they support it because it protects the 
health of the caretakers in our families.
  So, Mr. Speaker, once it passes, insurance company penalties for the 
women in our lives will be a thing of the past.
  Let's pass the bill.

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