Health coverage, especially publicly funded coverage, for women is too often tied to reproductive status. This policy promotes discontinuities in care and lack of comprehensive care because eligibility is dependent on pregnancy status and reproduction. Women of color are frequently dependent on public funding. Several studies have shown that Medicaid status does not equalize access to care or health outcomes. Gaps in Medicaid coverage, including coverage for mental health and substance abuse services are likely to have greater impact on black and Latino women, whether directly related to their own care or to others involved in their lives. Employed minority women are often not insured through employment. Minority women 55-64 are less likely than men to be insured and to have chronic, non-disabling illness. Managed health care adversely impacts minority women, who in general have worse health status than non-minority women and are therefore treated as less desirable patients.
Several principles should guide policy to ensure that minority and undeserved women receive high quality, comprehensive care. · All insurance coverage should have as a major focus comprehensive coverage for women regardless of pregnancy status. · Connect health care to the communities from which women come. Community health workers can often serve as bridges between the community and the health care setting increasing women's comfort with the health care provider and facilitating access to care. · Define quality of care and track it according to the unique health concerns of minority and disadvantaged women · Increase minority women's representation in medicine.
Learning Objectives: Describe the historical perspective of women's health policies and their bias against minority women. Describe barriers to comprehensive minority women's health care. Describe policies that are necessary to support minority women's health
Keywords: Women's Health, Policy/Policy Development
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.