Preventive Women's Health: Using New HHS Prevention Guidelines to Empower Union Women

Researchers suggest that personal behaviors cause more than 50% of illnesses. When people are asked about changing health behaviors, most say they are willing, but don't know where to begin. Although it is not easy to get people to change health behavior, everyone agrees that having accurate (easy to understand) information to start with is essential.

Since the Affordable Care Act begins to level the playing field in terms of health coverage, one thing unions are in an especially good position to provide (at no or low cost) -- which can provide "added value" in the eyes of their members -- is accurate preventive health information.

The HHS Guidelines for Preventive Services to Women provide direction for new plans, however, what's available to them won't be used unless participants know what they are entitled to.... That's where unions have a great opportunity, as we know that women are: 1. The health gatekeepers in the family; 2. The largest consumers of health care; 3. A group that especially trusts the union with this type of information (from focus groups of union women -- we know that they trust the union as the source for this information more than the employer or insurance company).

Additionally, unions have opportunities to push for coverage under "grandfathered" plans (plans that don't cover something that is in the Guidelines) if the employer decides to make significant changes that reduce benefits or increase costs to consumers.