[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 126, 112th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 8820--MAY 14, 2012

Proclamation 8820 of May 14, 2012

National Women's Health Week, 2012

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Women have guided our country toward prosperity and progress, and our
Nation's success depends on their well-being. While women often play a
leading role in making medical decisions for their families, their own
health care needs have too often gone unmet. During National Women's
Health Week, we recommit to making health care more accessible and
affordable for women across our country.
As President, I have made advancing gender equality in health care a top
priority. Through the historic Affordable Care Act, we are reversing
many of the worst abuses of the health insurance industry. Beginning in
2014, many insurers will no longer be allowed to charge women higher
premiums simply because of their gender, and it will be illegal for most
insurance companies to deny coverage to women because they have a pre-
existing condition, including cancer or pregnancy. Health plans will
also be required to cover maternity care. The law already enables women
in new insurance plans to see any primary care provider or OB-GYN, or
bring their children to any pediatrician in their health plan's network
without a referral, and it prevents most insurance companies from
denying coverage to children with pre-existing conditions.
My Administration has fought to make preventive care accessible to all.
Under the Affordable Care Act, we eliminated out-of-pocket costs for
recommended preventive services such as mammograms, cervical cancer
screenings, contraception, and well-woman visits under most plans. In
2011 alone, more than 20 million women received expanded access to these
services at no additional cost.
National Women's Health Week presents an opportunity for all women to
prioritize their well-being by scheduling annual check-ups and
screenings. To find more information on women's preventive care, visit
www.WomensHealth.gov or www.GirlsHealth.gov.
As we celebrate the progress we have made, we recognize that American
families cannot afford a return to the days when women were over-charged
and denied access to critical services. During National Women's Health
Week, let us move forward in pursuit of a fairer, healthier America.
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 13 through May 19,
2012, 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.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day of
May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the

[[Page 2590]]


Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
sixth.
BARACK OBAMA