STATEMENT BY CECILE RICHARDS ON GENDER DISPARITY IN HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS
For Immediate Release: Jan. 30, 2014
“Our health care system is broken. Today’s news that women pay significantly more in insurance premiums than men for individual health insurance policies is another reason for the urgent need for comprehensive health care reform,” said Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
The individual market does an inadequate job of providing quality, affordable health insurance to women, oftentimes not covering basic health needs such as maternity care.
“As a trusted and leading reproductive health care provider, Planned Parenthood sees millions of women every year and knows firsthand the health needs of women across the country. That is why we are advocating for health care reform that guarantees equal access to comprehensive, high-quality, affordable health care for all. That means protecting women’s access to some of their most basic health needs, such as inclusion of contraception in comprehensive drug benefit plans; direct access to ob/gyn’s; coverage of maternity care; breast cancer, cervical cancer, and HPV screenings.”
Read the New York Times article: Women Buying Health Policies Pay a Penalty
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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 700 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.