Women And Health Care

Floor Speech

Ms. McCOLLUM. Rising health care costs and inadequate coverage burden many Americans, women in particular. It's unfair and it's wrong.

Women can be denied and charged a higher insurance premium than men for just having what's called a preexisting condition. Let me give you an example of what that preexisting condition is.

In 2006, attorney Jody Neal-Post tried to get health insurance but was rejected. Why? Because of treatment she received after a domestic abuse incident. Her insurer told her that her medical history made her a higher risk, more likely to end up in an emergency room and need care.

1.3 million American women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year, and 85 percent of domestic violence victims are women. We can help the one out of every four women who are victims of domestic violence by stopping them from being victimized again by their insurance companies.

We can protect our grandmothers, mothers, aunts, sisters, and daughters by ending this abusive practice now. Pass health care reform now.

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