Blogs Comment On Health Reform Hearing, Guttmacher Study, Other Topics

The following summarizes selected women’s health-related blog entries. Blogs Examine Women and Health Insurance: During Thursday’s Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee

Health Insurers Pledge Commitment To Greater Equality In Women’s Coverage Under Health Reform

In testimony before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Thursday,

Hearings Focus On Health Insurance Gender Discrimination, The Underinsured

During a hearing before a subcommittee of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, several women shared stories of gender discrimination in health care coverage.

Calif. Gov. Schwarzenegger Signs, Vetoes Several Bills On Women’s Health

On Sunday, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) signed and vetoed several bills related to reproductive health in a flurry of last-minute action before a midnight deadline to address more than 700 measures, the Sacramento Bee reports (Sanders, Sacramento Bee, 10/13). Most of the bills Schwarzenegger approved will take effect Jan. 1, 2010 (Sanders,

Dems Court Women’s Support For Health Reform As Female Sens. Tout Legislation In Floor Speeches

Top congressional Democrats and the Obama administration are increasingly targeting women in their push to gain support for health care reform, the AP/Boston Globe reports.

Inconsistent State Regulations Allow Insurers To Deny Coverage For Domestic Abuse Survivors

Certain states allow health insurers to consider domestic abuse a pre-existing condition as a basis for denying coverage to women who have experienced abuse, but health reform legislation under consideration in Congress could ban the practice nationwide, Kaiser Health News reports. Although many states have laws in place prohibiting the practice, eight states and Washington, D.

Inconsistent State Regulations Allow Insurers To Deny Coverage For Domestic Abuse Survivors

Certain states allow health insurers to consider domestic abuse a pre-existing condition as a basis for denying coverage to women who have experienced abuse, but health reform legislation under consideration in Congress could ban the practice nationwide, Kaiser Health News reports. Although many states have laws in place prohibiting the practice, eight states and Washington, D.

Congress May Address Health Coverage Discrimination Against Women, Domestic Violence Victims

The health bills pending in Congress may end the practice of insurance rates based on gender and denials based on a history of domestic abuse. The health bills being considered in Congress may end “the practice of health insurance rates based on gender and maternity care,” McClatchy Newspapers/The Miami Herald reports.

Health Reform Proposals Include Several Changes To Improve Women’s Coverage

Health care reform legislation under consideration in Congress “would dramatically change the rules” on how health insurance covers women, McClatchy/Contra Costa Times reports. In the current insurance market, women typically are charged more for coverage because they tend to use more preventive care.

Pelosi Emphasizes Health Reform’s Benefits For Women In Capitol Hill Rally

As the House prepares for floor debate on its health reform bill (HR 3200), Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Tuesday touted the legislation’s benefits for women at a Capitol Hill press conference with the Feminist Majority Foundation and a few female members of Congress, CQ HealthBeat reports (Norman, CQ HealthBeat, 10/6).