[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 128, 113th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 9122--MAY 9, 2014

Proclamation 9122 of May 9, 2014

National Women's Health Week, 2014

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

As Americans, we strive for a Nation of broad-based prosperity, where
hard work pays off and everyone can go as far as their dreams allow.
Over the past half-century, women have opened up vast horizons for
themselves and their daughters. Yet many still work harder for less, and
because of gender inequality in areas like health care, they have had to
stretch paychecks further to make ends meet. During National Women's
Health Week, we recommit to expanding women's access to care, fighting
discrimination, and advancing the opportunity agenda.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) prohibits insurers from charging women
higher premiums simply because of their gender. Insurance companies can
no longer discriminate against women due to pregnancy, or deny coverage
because of pre-existing conditions. Thanks
to the ACA, women can receive preventive services like contracep-
tive care, recommended cancer screenings, and annual well-woman
visits at no out-of-pocket cost. And this year, millions of women
signed up for affordable coverage through the Health Insurance
Marketplace while millions more gained insurance through the ex-
pansion of Medicaid. To learn more about resources available to women
and girls, visit www.HealthCare.gov, www.WomensHealth.gov, or
www.GirlsHealth.gov.
As we continue to implement this law, my Administration remains
dedicated to protecting women's rights to make their own health care
decisions. The past few years have seen an orchestrated and historic
effort to roll back these basic rights. States have enacted laws aimed
at banning or severely limiting the right to choose and introduced
legislation that would cut off access to common forms of birth control.
Together, we must reject policies that aim to turn back the clock.
This week, let us uphold the principle of equality in health care. Let
us affirm that women alone--not insurance executives, not politicians,
and not their bosses--have the right to make decisions about their own
health.
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 11 through May 17,
2014, as National Women's Health Week. I encourage all Americans to
celebrate the progress we have made in protecting

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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 ninth day of May,
in the year of our Lord two thousand fourteen, and of the Independence
of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-eighth.
BARACK OBAMA