Mikulski Statement on President Obama Signing Landmark Health Care Reform Legislation

“It’s a very big deal for women,” Senator says

March 23, 2010

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. -  U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) today attended the White House ceremony in which President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law.  Passed by the Senate in December, this historic bill was approved in the House of Representatives Sunday:

 

"This is the first time in history that we have committed to ending the abuses of the insurance industry and covering every single American.  That's a very big deal. 

 

“It is also a very big deal for women.  This year it makes preventive tests available at no cost for women who enroll in new health care plans -- and will end the outrageous practice of insurance companies charging women 30 to 40 percent more than men for the same coverage.”