As many as 30 million women could benefit from the health reform law over the next decade, according to an analysis of the Affordable Care Act by the Commonwealth Fund. This includes up to 15 million women without health insurance who could get subsidized coverage; 14.5 million insured women who will benefit from improved coverage or reduced premiums; and an estimated 100,000 uninsured women who could gain coverage under the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan.
The study authors said that although women are as likely as men to be uninsured, their health care needs leave them more vulnerable to high health care costs and they are more likely to lose their health insurance. According to the study, insurance carriers consider women, especially those of child-bearing age, to be at a higher risk than men. In addition, it said, most policies sold on the individual market will not cover the cost of pregnancy. Women also are more likely to delay their care and to be more central in coordinating health care for their families.
Although this is good news for women across the country, the question remains whether there will be enough physicians to provide care for them.
The shortage of physicians in the United States is documented through dozens of studies by organizations such as the Association of American Medical Colleges, in addition to several states.
As for the ACA, some of the provisions that benefit women started in September 2010. Others, such as expansion of Medicaid eligibility and new state insurance exchange with premium and cost-sharing subsidies of up to 400% of federal poverty level, will go into effect after 2014.
The report, “Realizing Health Reform's Potential: Women and the Affordable Care Act of 2010” is the first in a series by the Commonwealth Fund focusing on how health reform will affect various groups and populations.