Affordable coverage for women and families

Health reform will make coverage more affordable for low and middle-income families
by providing health insurance subsidies to those with family incomes between 133 and
400% of the FPL. Approximately 23,000 women in Vermont (using 2006-2007 data)
could be eligible for a federal health insurance subsidy to help with premiums and out-of-pocket costs.

Ensuring access to the care women need

Health reform will require all new health insurance plans sold both in and outside of the
Health Insurance Exchange to cover (at a minimum) a broad range of medical services—including maternity care, prescription drugs, mental health services, and preventive care (such as mammograms).

Ending harmful, discriminatory insurance practices

Health reform will impose strict regulations on insurance carriers, including the elimination of gender rating for individuals and small businesses with up to 100 employees; a requirement that health insurers accept all applicants for coverageregardless of their medical history; and a prohibition on pre-existing condition exclusions.