Many recently laid-off workers are struggling to deal with the loss of their health care, but some are struggling more than others ? women often pay higher premiums for the same coverage as men, or they do not get covered at all. Group policies offered by employers are protected by federal anti-discrimination laws, but individual policies, which more and more people are being forced to resort to, are almost always not, though New York is an exception. A study by the National Women?s Law Center found that 40-year-old women pay anywhere from 4-48% more for the same policies as men do. Higher premiums are justified by the insurances agencies in terms of ?trends? ? women are more likely to take prescription meds, have chronic conditions, or require greater care for reproductive health. If this continues, women may soon find themselves unable to afford adequate health insurance.
See Editorial, The New York Times, November 2, 2008
