[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 20]
[House]
[Page 26906]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      HEALTH CARE REFORM FOR WOMEN

  (Ms. HIRONO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, few Americans have more at risk or 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 for the same coverage.
  Fifty-two percent of women reported postponing or foregoing medical 
care because of cost. Only 39 percent of men report having had those 
experiences.
  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.
  Women matter. Health care reform matters. I urge my colleagues' 
support to change this broken system.

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