UNT Health Science Center Ob/Gyn Chairman Ralph Anderson, MD, says that the Affordable Health Care Act provides vitally important advances for the health of women and their families.

Speaking at the 24^th annual Pelham P. Staples, Jr., MD, Educational Symposium in Arlington, Texas, Dr. Anderson said that the new health care legislation makes preventive care more accessible and affordable to millions of Americans. "This is especially important to women, who are more likely than men to go without necessary health care, including preventive care, because of cost," he said.

Additional benefits include allowing young adults to join or stay on a parent's plan until age 26; pre-existing condition coverage; prohibition of lifetime and annual coverage limits; prohibition of denying coverage or charging higher premiums based on health status or gender.

"Many benefits went into effect in 2010 and have been affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to uphold the plan, so we'll see additional benefits going into effect over the next two years," he said. "This will help protect the more than 24 million women in America, or one in six, who are currently without coverage."

He warned, however, that Texas Legislature could take up legislation that might have a negative impact, and cited reductions in Medicare and Medicaid payments to hospitals and providers, as well as possible caps on preventive visits and certain treatments. Learn more at www.meandmyobg.com

The symposium is sponsored by UNTHSC and JPS Health Network.

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