Women’s Health Townhall at the White House

I’m nervous about the anticipated Supreme Court decision on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act.

At the recent Women’s Health Townhall at the White House, I learned that the Affordable Care Act has so much to offer women (and our country as a whole) that I hope it is upheld.  Still, from reports I read about oral argument, it seemed that the justices were leaning toward finding the law unconstitutional. 

Tina Tchen, the Chief of Staff for Michelle Obama and the Executive Director of the White House Council on Women and Girls welcomes the audience.  I was excited to see an Asian American woman represented in the Obama White House.

Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, speaks to an audience of women.

The audience was almost all women. I was disappointed.  Don’t men care about women’s health?

Here’s what really hit me about the Affordable Care Act and women: 

• Under the Affordable Care Act, only 20% of health insurance premiums could go to administrative costs and profits, while 80% would have to go to patient care.  Health insurers who violate the 80/20 rule would have to refund a portion of the premium.
• Currently, insurance companies can reject women for pre-existing conditions, including being victims of domestic violence.  Beginning in 2014, this will be illegal.
• Currently, insurance companies can charge women up to 50% more for health insurance coverage, at a cost of over $1 billion, annually.  Beginning in 2014, this will be illegal.
• The Affordable Care Act will make a number of preventive services will be available without copays.  These include well woman visits; gestational diabetes screening; HPV DNA testing; STD counseling; HIV screening and counseling; breastfeeding support, supplies, and counseling; and domestic violence counseling.
• States will set up health insurance exchanges for those with preexisting conditions to purchase insurance at competitive prices. Coverage will vary from state to state, but the federal law will provide a floor for coverage. Exchanges will also provide an alternative to expensive COBRA coverage for those who have lost a job.
• Medicaid coverage will be expanded to cover people who are at 133% of the poverty line. 
• Community health centers will be expanded under the Affordable Care Act.
• People who are now covered by health insurance are paying $1000 more (per year?) to compensate for others who do not have health insurance.  The Affordable Care Act will alleviate this burden by ensuring that everyone is covered.

I was also pleased to learn that the Affordable Care Act will facilitate race, ethnicity, and primary language-based health data.  The AAPI Diabetes conference showed me how crucial this type of data is in preventing, diagnosing, and treating disease.

Check out these photos for more from the Women’s Health Townhall:

Here’s me, Indian American Mom, in the White House Press Briefing Room (bloggers and journalists got to hang out here before the Townhall).

Bloggers and journalists got prime seats in the front of the room.  If you’re thinking about starting a blog, I highly encourage it.  You may get opportunities like this one.

The panel prepares to speak.  Notice the smartphone love.

Real people spoke about the impact of the ACA on their lives. The woman at the podium, a college student, was able to stay on her parents’ insurance.  The baby pictured got excellent care for multiple serious health conditions, and his mother did not have to worry about lifetime limits on health insurance benefits thanks to the ACA.

A senior citizen describes how the Affordable Care Act closes the Medicare “doughnut hole,” allowing her to contribute more money toward he grandchild’s education.

Valerie Jarrett spoke at the event, then sat right in my row.  We must have a connection.  Check out our last meeting.

What do you think about the Affordable Care Act?  What do you think are the biggest health challenges facing South Asian women today?  Please share in the comments.

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