GUEST VIEWPOINT: Supreme Court's health care ruling benefits ...

The U.S. Supreme Court?s ruling upholding the Affordable Care Act marks a critical victory for women?s health, and for the health of all Americans.

Because of this landmark decision, millions of women and families will continue to have access to affordable, high-quality health care ? many of whom previously had inadequate coverage or no coverage at all.

At Planned Parenthood of Southwestern Oregon, we understand how this law will have an unprecedented effect on women?s health. The law guarantees women direct access to providers of obstetric and gynecological services without referrals, and ends discriminatory practices against women such as charging women higher premiums and denying coverage for ?pre-existing conditions.? And in just a few days, women will gain access to birth control without a co-payment, which will have a tremendous positive economic impact on already stretched family budgets.

Since August 2010, more than 45 million women have already received full coverage for preventive health screenings, including mammograms and Pap tests. Now, with this ruling, 17 million more women will have access to health insurance for the first time. And millions more young adults will be able to stay on their parents? health insurance plans, just like the 3.1 million young adults who have done so since September 2010.

In Oregon alone, 160,498 women of reproductive age will now gain coverage under the Affordable Care Act by 2014.

The increased access to preventive health care and family planning under the Affordable Care Act provides immeasurable economic value to women, families, and society. Unintended pregnancies are already costing U.S. taxpayers $11 billion a year. Every dollar invested in federal family planning saves taxpayers and families nearly $4.

Women realize that health and wellness are key to prosperity and independence. In times of economic uncertainty, it is more important than ever to stay healthy.

For women, birth control isn?t a political or social issue ? it?s basic health care and an economic concern. The money that women will save on birth control each year, up to $600 on average, is equal to five weeks of groceries for a family of four, nine tanks of gas in a minivan, or one semester of college textbooks.

Planned Parenthood health centers already provide basic health care to nearly 3 million patients every year, and to 26,500 in Southwestern Oregon alone. Because this landmark law has been upheld, we know we?ll be able to do even more for the communities we serve in the months and years ahead.

With our new Eugene-Springfield Regional Health and Education Center opening in September, we are expanding our leadership role in providing preventive health care to women, men and families here in Southwestern Oregon.

Cynthia Pappas is the CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southwestern Oregon (ppsworegon.org).

Article source: http://www.registerguard.com/web/opinion/28412471-47/women-health-care-families-access.html.csp

Source: http://medicaltips.org/2012/07/28/guest-viewpoint-supreme-courts-health-care-ruling-benefits-women-families-the-register/

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