Posted on December 20 2009 by admin

The Changing State of Women’s Health Care

Female health has been a major issue in the medical industry recently. Whether dealing with the complexities of the first menstrual cycle, pregnancy or menopause, there are a number issues that could pose potential threats to women’s health, which is why constant checkups are recommended.

In recent months, however, there have been some adjustments to the recommended time frame to obtain life-saving checkups. Also, there have been health care bills released that could have a huge impact on health insurance for women.

In the midst of all of the changes, women have to figure out how to protect themselves by obtaining coverage they need to sustain their potentially fragile health.

The Importance of Proper Health Care

Women have many issues to face when it comes to their health. A number of studies conducted and data released show just how complicated women’s health can be:

  • Maternal conditions are among the leading causes of death and disabilities among women (along with heart disease, cancer and stroke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
  • Each year, approximately 10 million women suffer life-threatening complications during pregnancy and childbirth, according to Global Health.
  • According to Kaiser Family Foundation’s State Health Facts, the national rate of death for women with cervical cancer is 2.4%.
  • The national death rate for breast cancer is a staggering 24 percent, according to Kaiser Family Foundation.
  • The Mayo Clinic released information noting that women in the menopausal stage of their lives can suffer many chronic medical conditions, including cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, urinary incontinence and weight gain.

With so many issues to consider, it becomes important that women constantly check their health status, which requires appropriate health recommendations from leaders in the industry as well as sufficient health insurance coverage.

Female Health Recommendation Changes Cause Controversy

In recent months, studies released and adjustments to the health care industry have stirred a bit of controversy regarding women’s health. Here are several new reports that have caused much debate around the nation:

  1. New Mammogram Recommendation Starts at Age 50: According to data released by the U.S. Prevention Services Task Force in Nov. 2009, the new recommended age for women to start receiving mammogram tests is 50. The previously recommended age was 40.
  2. OBGYN Annual Pap Smears No Longer Necessary: The American Cancer Society released information in Sept. 2009 that suggested women only needed cervical cancer Pap smear checkups every three years from the OBGYN if they have a normal Pap smear. Previously, the Pap smear recommendation was once a year.
  3. Abortion Coverages in Congress Health Care Bills – Within the Senate’s proposed health care bill is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that protects coverage for abortion services within private coverage. According to the bill, federal dollars could only be used to pay for abortions when the pregnancy threatens the life of the mother – or the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest. However, House’s version of the health care bill includes the Stupak Amendment, which bars private or federal insurance from covering abortion procedures, except for under extenuating circumstances.

People, and women in particular, have been protesting the idea that adjustments should be made for when women should get their bodies checked because science cannot dictate an individual body’s health. Even a number of celebrities have protested these adjustments – many of whom have credited early detection from mammogram tests and the advancements from gynecology with saving their lives.

For instance, Christina Applegate recently talked with AccessHollywood.com where she discussed her breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 36. The fact that she started getting mammograms at age 30 may have saved her life. Non-celebrities have also spoken out about their experiences like Jax in Massachusetts, who found with the early detection of a Pap smear that she had Stage 1b cervical cancer.

Another concern for women is that shifts in recommendations could affect insurance coverage. The concern is that insurance companies might stop covering these procedures if they’re not deemed important.

The Role of Health Insurance in Women’s Health

There have been concerns that the adjustments to women’s health care recommendations may indicate a lack of care when it comes to women’s health. Of course, with the many medical risks that women face, going without insurance can be dangerous. However, reports show that a lack of insurance, or being underinsured, is a reality for women.

According to a report from the National Women’s Law Center, women are likely to pay 68% more on their health care than men during their child-bearing years because they use more services. And according to a recent Commonwealth Fund study in 2007, 52% of women had problems getting needed care because of cost and their on-average lower income compared to men.

These issues can be very problematic, but when coupled with a lack of insurance, especially during dire times of need, the problems can worsen. This was case for Jemilla Mulvihill, a 38-year-old yoga instructor who became pregnant with no insurance. When she tried to get coverage, private insurance companies told her she had a preexisting condition: pregnancy.

Unable to qualify for federal assistance because her income was too high, she contemplated abortion. However, after forgoing needed prenatal care for many weeks, a caring Medicaid worker decided to approve coverage for her despite making slightly more than the income threshold.

How Can Women Get the Help They Need?

There are initiatives being put in place that may help women like Mulvihill get the coverage they need. For instance, the proposed health care overhaul that is resting with the Senate is supposed to eliminate insurance rejection due to preexisting conditions. In the meantime, women have the standard means of health care coverage: employer-sponsored, Medicare, Medicaid, or their own individually-sponsored coverage.

There are some other discount options available as well, including Maternity Advantage, which offers up to 60% off on doctor’s visits, lab work, sonograms, the hospital stay and more for a low monthly fee. Also, women could consider AmeriPlan, which is a discount plan offering 50% off or more on health care services, including physician, hospital and ancillary services (lab work, tests, x-rays, etc.).

With approximately 18 million women being uninsured and many more under-insured, it’s important that women are able to gain access to the proper care for their reproductive health needs. If not, many may suffer due to the long-term problems that can arise from years of insufficient health care.

How do you feel about the new legislation and its effects on women’s health?

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