Historically, women have not had equal access to essential health care. Women make only about 80 cents on the dollar compared to men and also support most singleparent households, yet women have been charged up to 85% more than men for health insurance premiums. These financial facts have forced women away from the reproductive health care they need.
Do we really value our children so little that we are unable to see where their futures begin—inside the bodies of women? Healthy mothers produce healthy offspring. Healthy mothers are those who choose when bear to children. Healthy mothers bear children in an environment with sound nutrition, access to health care, and family circumstances that support personal and family growth.
It has taken until 2012 for the United States to recognize that health care for women affects the health of generations to come. With the Affordable Care Act, women have now been granted greater access to essential reproductive health care. Among other services, women can now visit an OB/GYN provider without a referral and do not have co-pays or deductibles for mammograms, cervical cancer screenings, birth control, or screening and counseling for domestic violence.
Also under this act, employers must provide breaks and private space for nursing mothers to express milk for their babies. In the next two years, health plans will be required to include coverage for maternity services.
We need to uphold the Affordable Care Act (also called Obamacare). This law works to promote the health of women. It helps to ensure that women will have access to the reproductive care that protects our children, our future.
Jennifer Schulz
Grand Marais
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