What Women Need to Know in Health Care (Reform) News

Some absolutely riveting and crucial news out today via the National Partnership for Women and Families in their daily Women's Health Policy Report. Using quotes from the Report, I've summarized it quickly for you below but you should absolutely go read the full articles because this will affect your health care greatly.

1. Women will no longer be charged more for health insurance simply based on their gender

Health Reform Law Prohibits Gender Rating, Offers Other Benefits for Women's Health

March 30, 2010 — Under the recently signed health reform law (HR 3590), health insurance companies will no longer be able to charge women more than men for the same insurance policies, ending a practice known as "gender rating," the New York Times reports. In the past, insurance companies "took full advantage" of the lack of restrictions on gender rating in the individual insurance market, arguing that women should pay more for health coverage because they tend to use the health system more than men, the Times reports.

2. The court ruled: lockdown on BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene patents (ovarian and breast cancer) invalidated, patents deemed improperly granted

Patents on Breast, Ovarian Cancer Genes Invalidated

March 30, 2010 — In a ruling that could have "far-reaching" implications for genetic research and the medical industry, a U.S. District Judge Robert Sweet on Monday invalidated seven patents related to the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, mutations of which have been linked to breast and ovarian cancer, the New York Times reports (Pollack/Schwartz, New York Times, 3/29).

The decision was the culmination of a case filed in 2009 by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Public Patent Foundation against Myriad Genetics and the University of Utah Research Foundation that claimed the patents hindered patients' ability to secure high-quality genetic breast cancer testing (Koppel/Wang, Wall Street Journal, 3/30). Sweet ruled that the patents were "improperly granted" because they involved the "law of nature," which prohibits the patenting of human DNA. According to the Times, the ruling likely will be appealed (New York Times, 3/29).

ACLU attorney Chris Hansen called the decision "a strong advance for women's health and for science," adding that "it would enormously increase women's opportunities to receive testing and diagnoses and would liberate research opportunities for researchers all over the country" (Neumeister, AP/San Diego Union-Tribune, 3/29).

3. Three states infringe on women's legal right to choose, one makes women "legal guinea pigs"

March 30, 2010 — Three states recently took action on reproductive health-related measures. Summaries appear below.

~ Idaho: Gov. Butch Otter (R) has allowed a bill (SB 1353) that expands so-called "conscience" protections for medical workers to become law without his signature, the Spokane Spokesman-Review reports (Russell, Spokane Spokesman-Review, 3/29). . . Otter said that he had some reservations about the bill's implications for patients' rights and living wills but that he was willing to let it become law to see its effect on patients (Spokane Spokesman-Review, 3/29). [emphasis mine.]

~ Louisiana: A bill (SB 528) recently introduced in the Louisiana Senate would require doctors to perform an ultrasound two hours before an abortion, except in medical emergencies, and provide women with a sealed copy of the image, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

~ Oklahoma: The state House on Monday passed by significant margins three separate antiabortion bills, all of which have also passed the Senate, the AP/Oklahoman reports.

Comments

[Aimee Greeblemonkey]

I can always count on you to keep my up to date.

[Julie Pippert]

I'm glad, Aimee. :) I am so thrilled about the court ruling for BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene patents. I've been following this case, both sides, closely, and at the end of the day I truly believe the patens should not have been issued. This now allows competition for improved cost, hopefully better coverage, potential improvements on the screening, and most importantly, the ability to seek a second and even third opinion before undergoing MAJOR medical treatment. So much better for women.