November 20, 2015, Washington, DC
The Affordable Care Act is transforming healthcare and AMWA is part of the continuing dialogue between proponents for women’s health and government. The latest AMWA action was the participation in a roundtable hosted by Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Burwell and over a dozen women’s health advocates. Diane Helentjaris, MD, MPH, an AMWA Past President, represented AMWA at this event. Discussion centered around current challenges including the high cost for some birth control devices, the need for services to people who have limited English proficiency, challenges in Medicaid services and the sensitivities to discussions around sexuality and reproductive health. While the ACA has significantly decreased the number of Americans lacking healthcare, it is estimated that over 10 million still are without coverage. Of these, HHS finds that about one third are people of color. Open enrollment is now through the end of December for coverage next year. Information is available at www.healthcare.gov.
