Women’s Health Insurance Amendment Passes through Senate

Earlier this week, a deadlock was broken in the Senate with their first amendment approval revolving around health care and health insurance reform legislation, according to an article in The New York Times entitled, “Senate Passes Women’s Health Amendment”. The amendment passed was proposed by Democratic Senator Barbara Mikulski of Maryland, and would require health insurance companies to offer free mammograms and other preventive screenings to women.

Ms. Mikulski said of the issue, “The insurance companies take being a woman as a pre-existing condition,” which is a very sad state of affairs. The continued, “My amendment offers key preventive services, including an annual women’s health screening that would go to a comprehensive assessment, including the dangers to women in heart disease and in diabetes.” The amendment would require insurers to provide preventative treatment that is recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force, which is a panel of experts in such matters.

Now, if you were to ask me, these are things that should be included for women who require health care and get it through health insurance regardless. Thankfully, this amendment makes that a reality. The article then goes into broader issues, such as other amendments being proposed which could help slow down passage of the legislation as a whole.

Overall, it’s good to see steps taken in the right direction, regardless of how slowly those steps are being taken. We’ll be covering these kinds of stories and mall as the health care reform legislations makes its way through Congress. Until next week, stay healthy and happy.