Women's Health and Healh Care Reform
Women’s health care, especially reproductive health care, has for too long taken a backseat to “primary health care.” It has been considered a separate, specialized field that requires separate—and usually less—attention. This viewpoint is both wrong and counterproductive. Women’s health care during the reproductive years, including pregnancy care, is central to all health care across the lifespan and should not be considered a footnote in discussions on health care reform. These two reports make a scientific, data-driven case that reproductive health is a key determinant of women’s overall health, and the treatments and services that promote reproductive health should be part of any national health plan. These two reports are part of Moving Forward, an effort by the Women Donors Network and the Communications Consortium Media Center. Click here to download a fact sheet on the reports.
Women’s Health and Health Care Reform: The Economic Burden of Disease in Women
In June 2009, The Jacobs Institute of Women’s Health at The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services, released a report, The Economic Burden of Disease in Women that underscores the key roles of both preventive care and continuity of care for women across the lifespan, including primary and specialty care as well as pregnancy care. Further, this report demonstrates that providing continuity of care for women’s health would not only result in better health for women, but also may yield cost savings for the U.S. health care system as a whole. Read the June 15 press release
 |
Listen to the podcast by lead author Dr. Susan Wood. |
Women’s Health and Health Care Reform: The Key Role of Comprehensive Reproductive Health Care
In February 2009, the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University released Women’s Health and Healthcare Reform: The Key Role of Comprehensive Reproductive Health Care. Endorsed by 38 of the nation’s 50 Deans of Schools of Public Health, the study makes a scientific, data-driven case for a comprehensive standard of health for American women- affordable and stable coverage that enables women to
attain good health in childhood and adolescence, maintain good health during their reproductive years, and age well. Read the February 11 press release.
|
Listen to the podcast by lead author Dr. Wendy Chavkin. |
Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD) on The Economic Burden of Disease in Women
As this new report shows, there’s still more to be done. Better access to early prevention, detection and treatment of chronic diseases will improve women’s overall health and save millions of taxpayer dollars.”
As we work towards health reform, this comprehensive look at the importance of prevention and continuity of care will be a valuable tool in addressing the unique health needs of women,” said Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), senior member of the Senate HELP Committee.
“This study reinforces the old saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” said Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). “Preventive care must be part of health reform because it is our first line of defense in the fight against heart disease, breast cancer and other chronic illnesses threatening women’s health.
Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) on The Key Role of Comprehensive Reproductive Health Care
Any debate on national healthcare reform must address the healthcare needs of women who are often the primary caregivers and decision makers for their families. We know that women face exceptional challenges and have a very personal stake in fixing our broken health care system-they know we need to act now. The current economic crisis is not an excuse for delay; it is a persuasive argument for an immediate response. As the Democratic Co-Chair of the Women's Caucus, I look forward to working with the healthcare community, my colleagues in Congress and the Obama Administration to win a solution that guarantees affordable, quality and comprehensive care for women and their families.
Congressional Leaders, Public Health Experts Announce New Framework to Promote Women’s Health
On February 11, 2009 House Democratic Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Women’s Issues Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and other Congressional leaders introduced the Health Care for Women Resolution, which outlines a new framework for women’s health and will make women’s needs a key part of the national health reform debate. They were joined by public health experts at a Capitol Hill press conference, where the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health released a report that underscores the need for the Congressional resolution. Watch the press conference.