women's health

Sánchez Works to Make Similar Federal Law

October 14, 2009 -- Washington, DC - Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-CA), applauded California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for signing state legislation into law to end gender discrimination in health insurance premiums. The new law will prevent health insurers from charging men and women different rates for the same health insurance policies in the individual market.    » read more »

October 6, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic Women’s Working Group joined leaders from women’s organizations for a press conference outside the Capitol this afternoon to discuss how women stand to gain the most from health insurance reform. Women will continue to face discrimination in both coverage and cost if health reform fails. Below are the Speaker’s opening statement and closing remarks.

On Why Health Insurance Reform is Essential for Women:    » read more »

October 7, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. -- Congressman Jim Matheson -- speaking at a hearing before the Health subcommittee Wednesday—told colleagues that breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for Utah women. He urged support for several bills designed to improve education, treatment and screen programs for the disease.

“Everyone has been touched by cancer. I hope we will make significant strides in research, education and screening,” said Matheson. “Though the national incidence rate of breast cancer among women is much higher than Utah ’s, Utah ’s mortality rate is the same because a higher percentage of Utah women are diagnosed in the cancer’s later stages. If breast cancer is caught early, survival is much more likely.”    » read more »

Washington, Oct 7 - Congresswoman Kathy Castor, working to eliminate disparities in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, advocated her bill today during a significant hearing on the Subcommittee on Health. The Eliminating Disparities in Breast Cancer Treatment Act of 2009 will create incentives and requirements for adequate care for all women, regardless of race, income or health insurance status.    » read more »

"Senators were urged to eliminate references to reproductive health"

June 18, 2009 -- (Washington, DC) - Following the recent tragic shooting death of Dr. George Tiller, a reproductive health care provider in Kansas, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) authored a non-controversial resolution condemning the use of violence against providers of women's health care services.

The resolution faced objection by some colleagues on the other side of the aisle, and the Senators were urged to eliminate references to women's reproductive health care in order to unanimously pass the resolution. Shaheen, Boxer, and Klobuchar introduced their original resolution, which was co-sponsored by an additional 43 Senators.    » read more »

June 1, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – In response to the murder of Dr. George Tiller, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement:

"I am outraged and saddened that in this day and age, a doctor is murdered simply for working on behalf of his patients.

"While the issue of reproductive rights provokes emotions on both sides, threats of violence and harassment are morally reprehensible and should not be tolerated.

"Dr. Tiller’s death is a tremendous loss for all those who care about the health and well being of women and families.

"My thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Tiller's family.”

Source: Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

June 1, 2009 -- "I send my condolences to Dr. Tiller's family, friends and patients who relied on him.

The debate over abortion rights is very difficult and reaches deep into religion, philosophy and one’s view of Roe v. Wade.

Everyone has the right to work for changes in the law. But to assault a health care worker, a patient or anyone else because of a disagreement about an issue, regardless of how contentious, brings all of humanity down into a dark pit of violence.

Such actions must not be tolerated.    » read more »

May 31, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson issued the following statement on the murder of Dr. George Tiller:

“I was deeply saddened to learn that Dr. George Tiller, a well-known provider of and advocate for women’s health care, was gunned down this morning at his church in Wichita, Kansas. With his murder, we are robbed not only of a dedicated and courageous physician, but also of a husband, father and neighbor. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I would like to express my deepest condolences to Dr. Tiller’s family, friends and community. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.    » read more »

Approximately 22 million women in US have osteopenia, or low bone mass, putting them at increased risk of fractures of hip, spine and wrist.

Basel, June 1, 2009 - Reclast® (zoledronic acid 5 mg) Injection[*] has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the first and only therapy to prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis for two years with a single dose[1]. Reclast, or Aclasta® as it is known outside the US, is already approved in more than 80 countries including the US and EU as a once-yearly infusion for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis[1],[4].    » read more »

Calls on Health Care Providers to Help Women Achieve a Healthy Weight Before and During Pregnancy

May 28, 2009 -- WASHINGTON -- A growing amount of scientific evidence indicates that how much weight women gain during pregnancy and their starting weight at conception can affect their health and that of their babies, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council.    » read more »

Report Underscores Need For Inclusion Of Reproductive Health In National Reform Efforts, Highlights Roadblocks for Women in Current Health Care System

WASHINGTON, DC — Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) today applauded the Department of Health and Human Services for a new report, released during National Women’s Health Week, placing an important spotlight on the impact that the nation’s health care crisis is having on women, particularly women of childbearing age.    » read more »

Women Particularly at Health and Economic Risk

New York, NY, May 11, 2009—Women are more likely than men to feel the pinch of rising health costs and eroding health benefits, with about half (52%) of working-age women reporting problems accessing needed care because of costs, compared to 39 percent of men, a new Commonwealth Fund study finds.

Women who are insured but have inadequate coverage are especially vulnerable: 69 percent of underinsured women have problems accessing care because of costs, compared to half (49%) of underinsured men.    » read more »

Ends Ineffective Abstinence-Only Programs, Provides New Funding for Evidence-Based Comprehensive Sex Education — Missed Opportunities to Strengthen Title X And Ensure Women’s Access to Full Range of Care

March 10, 2009 -- “As our nation works to strengthen women’s health care, there is both good and bad news in this budget. While the budget is a step in the right direction toward reducing alarmingly high unintended pregnancy rates and helping ensure that young people have the information and health care they need to become healthy and productive adults, it misses an opportunity to build on one of the nation’s most effective programs in reducing unintended pregnancies,” said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA).    » read more »

March 24, 2009 -- Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) applauded today’s ruling by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York ordering the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) to expand access to emergency contraception (EC), also known as Plan B.

“Today’s federal court ruling puts women’s health ahead of politics,” said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “We must do everything we can to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and protect the health and safety of all women.”    » read more »

Decision Underscores Need for Reform at FDA

March 23, 2009 -- A federal district court today ruled the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) violated its own rules when it restricted over-the-counter sales of the emergency contraceptive Plan B to women over 18. The New York City-based court ordered the FDA to reconsider its decisions regarding over-the-counter access and age restrictions and to extend over-the-counter access to 17 year olds within 30 days.    » read more »