By Carlina Hansen, executive director of the Women’s Community Clinic, San Francisco
Sacramento Bee
December 5, 2007
(Women) represent more than half the population, live longer and are more likely to have chronic health problems as they age. Women use more health care services over the course of their lives than men. At the same time, they earn less, and are less likely to have jobs with health benefits. Consequently, women are more dependent on public and spousal coverage — two forms of health coverage that are most threatened by state deficits and employer cost-shifting.
We have a window of opportunity this year to address the unique health care needs of women in California, but the policy solutions must be substantive.
The Women’s Working Group on Universal Health Care calls on legislators and the governor to deliver a health care reform plan that includes:
* Affordable, accessible, high quality, comprehensive health care for all residents, independent of income, employment, gender, sexuality, ability, immigration, incarceration or health status.
* Comprehensive benefits.
* Access to care that is equitable, confidential and culturally and linguistically appropriate, with particular attention to vulnerable and underserved communities.
* Health care coverage that is affordable for individuals and families in relation to income.
* Health care policy that is fairly financed and establishes mechanisms for controlling costs without impeding access.
This is what California’s women need from health care reform. And, we need it now.
http://www.sacbee.com/110/story/543262.html
Women’s Working Group on Universal Health Care:
http://www.womenleadforhealth.org/
Comment:
By Don McCanne, MD
Health care reform is very much a women’s issue, though a high-performance health care system that works for women works for men and children as well. If we do it right, we’ll all benefit.