Therese Fitzgerald1, Laura Cohen2, Tracey Hyams3, Katherine M Sullivan4, Paula A Johnson5. 1. Women's Health Policy & Advocacy Program, Connors Center for Women's Health and Gender Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. Electronic address: tfitzgerald1@partners.org. 2. Women's Health Policy & Advocacy Program, Connors Center for Women's Health and Gender Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. 3. Independent Health Policy Consultant, Newton, Massachusetts. 4. Ropes & Gray LLP, Boston, Massachusetts. 5. Connors Center for Women's Health and Gender Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Women's Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Massachusetts women have the highest rates of health insurance coverage in the nation and women's access to care has improved across all demographic groups. However, important challenges persist. As national health reform implementation moves forward under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), states will likely encounter many of the same women's health challenges experienced in Massachusetts over the past 7 years. METHODS: A review of the literature and data analyses comparing health care services access, utilization, and cost, and health outcomes from Massachusetts pre- and post-2006 health care reform identified two key challenges in women's continuity of coverage and affordability. CONCLUSION: These areas are crucial for state and national policymakers to consider in improving women's health as they work to implement health care reform at the state and federal levels.
BACKGROUND: Massachusetts women have the highest rates of health insurance coverage in the nation and women's access to care has improved across all demographic groups. However, important challenges persist. As national health reform implementation moves forward under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), states will likely encounter many of the same women's health challenges experienced in Massachusetts over the past 7 years. METHODS: A review of the literature and data analyses comparing health care services access, utilization, and cost, and health outcomes from Massachusetts pre- and post-2006 health care reform identified two key challenges in women's continuity of coverage and affordability. CONCLUSION: These areas are crucial for state and national policymakers to consider in improving women's health as they work to implement health care reform at the state and federal levels.
Authors: Valeria Raparelli; Louise Pilote; Brian Dang; Hassan Behlouli; James D Dziura; Hector Bueno; Gail D'Onofrio; Harlan M Krumholz; Rachel P Dreyer Journal: JAMA Netw Open Date: 2021-10-01