[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 91 (Wednesday, May 11, 2011)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 27599-27600]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-11748]



[[Page 27597]]

Vol. 76

Wednesday,

No. 91

May 11, 2011

Part V





The President





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Proclamation 8670--National Women's Health Week, 2011



Proclamation 8671--Mother's Day, 2011
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  Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 91 / Wednesday, May 11, 2011 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 27599]]

                Proclamation 8670 of May 6, 2011

                
National Women's Health Week, 2011

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Women are a foundation of our families, and their 
                health affects the well-being of our communities and 
                our country. They often make health care decisions for 
                their families as well as themselves. However, American 
                women have not always had access to the health care 
                they need, or the freedom to make the best health 
                choices for their loved ones. As a Nation, we must 
                ensure our mothers, daughters, friends, and colleagues 
                receive fair treatment and access to resources they 
                need to live healthy, happy lives. During National 
                Women's Health Week, we reaffirm our commitment to 
                making women's health a priority.

                In the past, insurance companies have effectively 
                considered being a woman a ``pre-existing condition,'' 
                and the specific medical needs of women meant higher 
                fees and less coverage. Before the Affordable Care Act 
                became law last year, insurance companies could deny 
                coverage to women due to previous events such as having 
                had cancer or having been pregnant. In 2014, it will be 
                illegal for insurance companies to discriminate against 
                anyone with a pre-existing condition, or charge women 
                higher premiums than they charge men.

                The Affordable Care Act gives women greater freedom and 
                control over their health care. Thanks to this landmark 
                legislation, women joining new health plans have the 
                ability to choose their own doctor from any primary 
                care provider, OB-GYN, or pediatrician in their health 
                plan's network without a referral. The new insurance 
                exchanges created by this law ensure coverage of 
                preventive care and basic health services, including 
                maternity care, which is often not provided in health 
                plans in the individual insurance market.

                National Women's Health Week is also an opportunity for 
                women of all ages, ethnicities, and economic 
                circumstances to take simple, everyday steps to embrace 
                healthier lifestyles. This week, we encourage women to 
                schedule their annual checkups and talk to their health 
                care provider about important health screenings, many 
                of which will be free of charge because of the 
                Affordable Care Act. All American women and their loved 
                ones can visit www.WomensHealth.gov and 
                www.GirlsHealth.gov for more information and resources 
                on living longer and healthier lives. During National 
                Women's Health Week, I encourage women, and all 
                Americans, to make their own health a priority and 
                support each other in these efforts.

                 NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim May 8 through May 14, 
                2011, as National Women's Health Week. I encourage all 
                Americans to celebrate the progress we have made in 
                protecting women's health and to promote awareness, 
                prevention, and educational activities that improve the 
                health of all women.

[[Page 27600]]

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                sixth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand 
                eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of 
                America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2011-11748
Filed 5-10-11; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3195-W1-P