[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 94 (Wednesday, May 15, 2013)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 28711-28712]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-11755]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 94 / Wednesday, May 15, 2013 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 28711]]


                Proclamation 8978 of May 10, 2013

                
National Women's Health Week, 2013

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Since our Nation's founding, women have given their all 
                to expanding opportunity for their families and for 
                future generations. Decade after decade, that fierce 
                dedication has been rewarded with remarkable progress 
                in nearly every part of society; yet all too often, 
                advances in women's health and well-being have lagged 
                behind. During National Women's Health Week, we 
                recommit to changing that reality and increasing access 
                to health services that help women and girls get the 
                care they need.

                Three years ago, I signed the Affordable Care Act--
                reform that brought about a new era of equality in 
                health care and gave women unprecedented control over 
                their health. Under the law, women will no longer face 
                higher insurance premiums because of their gender. It 
                will be illegal for insurers to deny coverage due to 
                pre-existing conditions like pregnancy or cancer. 
                Already, 47 million women have gained access to 
                preventive services at no out-of-pocket cost, including 
                well-woman visits, domestic violence screenings and 
                counseling, and contraceptive care. And millions more 
                are benefitting from improved prescription drug 
                coverage under Medicare that helps seniors get the 
                medication they need at prices they can afford.

                These changes are making a real difference for families 
                in every part of our country. Thanks to the Affordable 
                Care Act, working mothers no longer have to choose 
                between getting essential care and paying their bills. 
                Women no longer have to delay mammograms just because 
                money is tight. And young people can stay on their 
                parent's health insurance until age 26, so they no 
                longer have to worry about how to afford health care 
                when they are just starting out. I encourage women of 
                all ages to visit www.WomensHealth.gov, 
                www.GirlsHealth.gov, and www.HealthCare.gov to learn 
                more about resources available to them, including the 
                new Health Insurance Marketplace.

                This week, as we reflect on how far we have come in the 
                fight to provide Americans with the care they deserve, 
                let us renew our commitment to empowering all women 
                with the chance to live strong, healthy lives.

                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 12 through May 
                18, 2013, 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 28712]]

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

[FR Doc. 2013-11755
Filed 5-14-13; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F3