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As the largest source of public funding for contraceptive care in the United States, Medicaid plays a crucial role in financing family planning services and supplies for millions of low-income women across the nation.
Women and Medicare: Making the Connection This briefing examines Medicare s role in meeting older women's health needs, the gaps in Medicare's benefits package for women, and the emerging debate over prescription drug coverage and Medicare reform.
Medicare is a critical source of health insurance coverage for virtually all older women in the U.S. and for many younger women who have permanent disabilities. Today, 22 million women one in five adult women rely on Medicare for basic health insurance protection. In fact, women comprise 57% of the Medicare population.
Women comprise a growing share of new cases of AIDS in the United States. In 1986, women only represented 7% of new cases of AIDS. By 1999 that share had risen to nearly one quarter.
Low-income women's high rate of health problems and limited economic resources make access to health care and adequate health insurance coverage particularly important. Health coverage, whether through the private sector or publicly through Medicaid, has been demonstrated to improve access to care for low-income women.
Access to health coverage is a challenge for millions of low-income women. Because they are more likely to be low-wage workers and work in industries that don't offer benefits, access to job-based coverage is often problematic. Avenues for assistance are available to some through Medicaid.
This issue brief, updated for a Capitol Hill Briefing Series on women's health issues, assesses women's coverage of gynecologi…
Topline Results The Vital Signs Index is a monthly nationally representative survey of women on health policy issues. The results of the survey will inform the news segments and be made available to a wider audience of policy makers, health industry leaders, advocates and journalists.
Gynecological services are vital for women throughout their lifetimes. Pap smears, breast exams, counseling, and contraceptive care are important preventive services, but women often do not get these at levels recommended by experts. This fact sheet summarizes coverage of gynecological care and contraceptives.
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