Women Woefully Underinsured Because Insurers Charge Us More

If it didn’t already suck that health insurance companies charge us all more for the privilege of having uteri, it turns out that most of us don’t even have the money to properly insure them.

A new study by the Commonwealth Fund finds that 70 percent of American women — 64 million, to be exact — are either un- or underinsured. And even those that have insurance are worried about the cost.

The study, “Women at Risk: Why Many Women Are Forgoing Needed Health Care,” also says 52 percent of working-age women say they have problems accessing needed healthcare because of cost, compared to 39 percent of men who said so.

Commonwealth Fund President Karen Davis says that the recession and unemployment have likely made the situation for women worse since the report was initially completed, and makes it clear that health care reform is increasingly necessary. She adds.

“This study underscores the need for affordable universal health coverage and protection against catastrophic financial losses not only for women — who are more likely to be at risk for high premiums and medical bills — but for all Americans.”

Health insurance companies, meeting with Barack Obama today, have in response offered to raise premiums by 1.5 percent less than they normally have each year. For me, this means I can expect my premium to rise by 13.5% rather than 15% next year, which should save me $33 next year. That doesn’t really sound like change I can believe in.

Many U.S. Women Short On Health Insurance [UPI]

Earlier: Health Insurers Offer To Make Our Uteruses Less Expensive
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