The federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) includes provisions that have both immediate and long-term benefits for women. This brief outlines policy changes in this law that will improve the accessibility and affordability of health care for women in Connecticut and nationwide.
Among other provisions, the national health reform law will:
- Expand Medicaid eligibility for low-income, childless adults;
- Provide partially subsidized coverage for individuals and families who buy health coverage through new state health insurance exchanges;
- Prohibit “gender ratings” in certain health insurance markets that can result in higher premiums for women;
- Prohibit insurance carriers from denying coverage based on preexisting conditions; and
- Improve access to maternity and newborn care, hospitalization, emergency care, prescription drugs, pediatric services, and chronic disease management, and other essential services.
