House passes Health Care Reform Bill - the changes which will effect women

November 8, 1:47 PMWomen's Health ExaminerSharon Falsetto

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Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Saturday November 7th 2009 at a press conference after the vote
AP photo/Alex Brandon, with permission

Following yesterday's House approval to proceed with the Health Care Reform Bill, the historic Health Care Reform Bill was passed by the House late last night, Saturday November 7th 2009, by a vote of 220 to 215. The Health Care Reform Bill received the backing of the AARP on Thursday November 5th 2009, together with a number of other large organizations such as the American Medical Association. However, the Health Care Reform Bill was only passed by the House with some last minute concessions including abortion services.

The abortion clause in the Health Care Reform Bill

Under the proposed Health Care Reform Bill, women do not have the right to public funds for abortion services. Women will not be able to purchase insurance plans which include abortion services if they receive a government subsidy. The last minute change to the Health Care Reform Bill was passed through in an attempt to ensure the Bill was passed in the House by gaining the support of anti-abortion voters. This action has provoked strong responses from pro-choice groups.

What the Health Care Reform Bill means for women

Some of the other changes in the Health Care Reform Bill which will affect women are:
 

• illegal to prevent a person from obtaining health insurance based on gender; women often have greater difficulty gaining health insurance
• illegal to prevent a person from obtaining health insurance due to pre-existing health conditions such as C-sections and health conditions resulting from domestic violence
• more affordable choices with regard to maternity care insurance coverage
• government help for insurance premiums for low or middle income earners will be available; many women fall into this category.

Changes in the Health Care Reform Bill

The Health Care Reform Bill will now go to the Senate and is expected to be voted on by the end of 2009. Some of the changes affecting women would be implemented in 2010, subject to the Senate's approval. How the Health Care Reform Bill will affect individual women and the impact it will have on women's health insurance will only be revealed in the coming year.