Health care reform is a women's health issue and has been since the early 1970s. Many of the principles of the contemporary Women's Health Movement, articulated by the National Women's Health Network and others, formed the foundation of this long term advocacy on behalf of women and health care reform. Several of these advocacy and policy actions from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s will be described in this presentation. At stake have been concerns that are not unique to women. However, there have been and continue to be important issues -- such as eligibility, equity, access, comprehensive benefits, and affordable costs -- which would leave women's health at risk if they are not addressed in a reformed health care delivery system. Equally at stake is the need for a renewed grassroots effort to mobilize women for the next phase of health care reform well in advance of the coming national policy debates on how to reform the health care delivery system. Women have a powerful role to play to assure that their interests, and the interests of the underserved and poorly served, are met.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation, the participant will be able to: 1. describe the advocacy and policy history of health care reform in the last 25 years 2. discuss the principles articulated by women's health advocates active in health care reform efforts 3. discuss the role that a grassroots effort to mobilize women could play in the next phase of health care reform
Keywords: Policy/Policy Development, Health Reform
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.