As Cover the Uninsured Week approaches, a new Commonwealth Fund report by researchers at the National Women’s Law Center finds that even women with health insurance coverage are more likely than insured men to go without needed health care because of costs. Also, a higher percentage of women than men struggle with medical bills.
The report, Women and Health Coverage: The Affordability Gap, by Elizabeth M. Patchias and Judith G. Waxman of the National Women’s Law Center, finds that 38% of women are struggling with medical bills compared with 29% of men. Also, the high cost of healthcare services and premiums is forcing many women--even women with health insurance--to go without needed care. In fact, 33% of insured women and 68% of uninsured women don’t get the health care they need because they can’t afford it. In contrast, 23% of insured and 49% of uninsured men are avoiding care because of cost. Further, 16% of women are underinsured, versus only 9% of men.
“These findings show that comprehensive healthcare coverage that doesn’t require high out-of-pocket costs is vital to ensuring that women get the care they need to be healthy,” said Sara Collins, assistant vice president for the Program on the Future of Health Insurance at The Commonwealth Fund. “As policymakers consider healthcare reform initiatives, they should consider plan designs that will result in meaningful, affordable, and equitable access to health care for everyone.”
