Health Insurance Articles
How Governor Schwarzenegger Has Affected Women's Health Insurance
2009-10-23
When a health insurance company differentiates it's coverage based on gender, it's called "gender rating,"Â and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger recently made the move in October to abolish this practice in the state. The governor addressed the disparity between men and women in health insurance coverage when he endorsed several bills set to go into effect the January 1, 2010. Governor Schwarzenegger's signature on California's AB-119 prohibits health insurance companies from basing premiums on "gender rating,"Â the practice some insurance companies adopted by charging more for women than men on similar policies. California is the thirteenth state to issue such legislation. Prior to the bill becoming state law, women often paid up to 48 percent more for healthcare coverage than men for the same basic coverage. According to the San Francisco Examiner, the passage of AB-119 will expand eligibility to more affordable healthcare coverage to more than 1 million Californians.
At the same time, Governor Schwarzenegger also vetoed a bill that would have stopped health insurance providers from excluding women with pre-existing conditions, like undergoing a C-section delivery. The vetoed bills would have also required health insurance companies to cover myriad other female services, such as lactation consultation and breast pump rentals. His decision was based on the belief that signing the bill would contribute to rising healthcare costs. This veto only pertained to individuals who purchase their own policies outside the workplace.
After rushing to sign hundreds of bills into law on Oct. 11, 2009, the governor's opinions were split on the healthcare bills. "While the perfect world would allow for all health conditions to be covered, including maternity, I cannot allow the perfect to become the enemy of the good,"Â Governor Schwarzenegger was quoted in the San Francisco Examiner. "Because I continue to have serious concerns about the rising costs of healthcare and believe the potential benefits of a mandate of this magnitude will translate to fewer individuals being able to afford coverage, I cannot support this bill."Â
The National Women's Law Center, the nation's most outspoken advocate for women's health issues, ultimately applauded many of Schwarzenegger's recent moves. The center has objected to insurance companies denying health insurance coverage to women who have certain gender-based risk factors - including claims of domestic violence. The National Women's Law Center suggests that of the 106 healthcare plans available in California, only 26 provide for comprehensive maternity coverage. In addition, they say women throughout the U.S. often find it very expensive or impossible to get fundamental coverage for medical issues, such as maternity care coverage.
Despite not passing certain bills, it seems Governor Schwarzenegger is making steps to ensure proper and fair coverage for California residents, regardless of gender.
