Health Care

Quality, affordable health care is critical to the well-being of women, children and people of color. Today, however, many people in the United States have inadequate health care coverage or do not have health coverage at all. Those who have health care coverage often find that their coverage is limited and does not cover certain procedures, treatments, tests or medicines they need. Others find themselves unable to afford the care they need.

In 2010, to address the crisis in our nation’s health care system congress passed and President Obama signed into law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). Among its many provisions, the bill prohibited insurance companies from denying children and adults with pre-existing conditions health care, it allowed young adults up to age 26 to remain on their parent’s health insurance, and provided assistance to individuals and families to make health care more affordable.

Continuing to reform the nation’s health care system, however, will involve discussions and decisions on critical issues including access to health care, health care quality, and health care affordability. Furthermore, there are additional health care issues are also important to women including access to reproductive health care services; health care disparities that affect women of color; and ensuring that special populations including the elderly, chronically ill women and men, and low-income children and women continue to have access to Medicare, Medicaid, and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

YWCA Position
The YWCA supports a strong health care safety net that includes Medicaid, Medicare and State Health Insurance programs and ensures healthcare is available to all. The YWCA also strongly supports comprehensive health care for women that includes reproductive healthcare.

Candidate Questions
What is your position on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) that passed in 2010?

What is your proposal for addressing the high cost of health care?

If elected, how do you plan on helping individuals and families who have health care but find that the coverage does not meet their needs?

If elected, what is your policy agenda for addressing health disparities?