Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ISSUES 2
In ensuring the health of the society, the United States through various programs such as
Affordable Care Act (ACA), Medicare, and Medicaid among others provides insurance covers to
the community. That has resulted from the increasing importance of health insurance as it
provides medical care at the time of need, reduces financial burden to the relatives and family of
the sick, and in the end, improves the overall health outcomes in the nation (Blumenthal, &
Collins, 2014). The importance of medical insurance has resulted in extensive campaigns and
participation by both the government and private sector with the aim of ensuring medical cover
for all citizens. With an insurance cover, all the societal medical needs are secure. The national
government has, therefore, developed health insurance policies as well as programs that ensure
medical security for the American community. The nation has among other programs, Medicare,
that focuses on people with disabilities, those with end-stage diseases, and the elderly, and
Medicaid that caters for low-income families. Critically, these programs are focused on specific
vulnerable individuals who, without these programs, would suffer and most likely die due to lack
of the required care. However, although the nation is dedicated to ensuring the health of the
society through these programs and policies, there are some gaps in practice, where the available
policies have overlooked the women in their reproductive age. Women in the United States
contribute the largest percentage of the uninsured citizens, despite their comparably greater
medical needs than men. That is confirmed by Statista (2018) who explains that in the year 2016,
11% of women aged between 19 and 64, making up approximately 10.5 million women, were
uninsured. Majority of these women are from minority groups who are disadvantaged due to
their states not expanding Medicaid and low incomes, hence they cannot afford private
WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ISSUES 3
insurance. That has significantly affected the health of the section of the society and the
This paper discusses health insurance issues among women of reproductive age in
America, a societal section that has been left significantly uninsured despite the importance of
women health. As elaborated by Johnson et al. (2013), healthy women promise not only a
healthy nation but also the health of future generations. Although there are various organizations
and insurance programs that focus on women, it is proven that a significant number of women,
more so, from marginalized communities, in the reproductive stage are not insured. That presents
a health care delivery issue in the nation. It is apparent that women from Latino, Indian, and
African origins are not adequately covered, an aspect that compromises their health. That is a
threat to the nation now and in the future. That is because most uninsured women do not receive
preconception heath among other essential health services to ensure their well-being as well as
the welfare of their children. Based on a concise discussion of the issue as experienced in the
U.S, this paper proposes its two possible solutions to the problem, outlines the projected cost of
implementation, identifies the possible supporters and opponents, and outlines steps that will
Despite the apparent importance of women health in ensuring the societal health, a
significant number of women in the United States, more so, from some marginalized groups
remain uninsured, an aspect that affects the health of their communities. That presents a major
policy issue on the women health insurance in the nation. In their article, Johnson et al. (2013)
affirms that the health of women is a determinant of the nation’s health, both at present and in
WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ISSUES 4
future. In maintaining the health of women in the society, key consideration should be paid while
planning and designing the systems of coverage under the nation’s health reform.
Despite the fact that more women are left uninsured compared to men, they are
disproportionally affected by any changes in the coverage and delivery of health care. Moreover,
women have more health needs as compared to men, an aspect that result from their longer life
expectancy, vulnerability to chronic diseases and disability, and their need for reproductive care.
As such, women use more medical services than their male counterparts. Nevertheless, women
are likely to experience inconsistent insurance coverage, exposing them to high health expenses
and more affordability challenges. Apparently, women, despite their low incomes are exposed to
high costs of medical care and suffering as well as deaths, for those who cannot afford the costs.
That in turn, affects the well-being of the community at large since women are often the care
providers in their homes. That means that when their health is not ensured, the safety of children
as well as men is left vulnerable. It is further apparent that the families of the uninsured women
are pressured in meeting the medical costs. Critically, the issue contradicts the provisions of the
patient protection and affordable care act (ACA), and have negative implications to the future
The importance of women reproductive health is reinforced by Johnson et al. (2006) who
outcomes. That is because the health care and counselling services provided facilitates risk-
screening, promotion of health, and disease prevention strategies, hence, improving the health of
both the mothers and their infants (Johnson et al. 2006). However, with no insurance covers,
mothers are less likely to receive the care, hence are exposed to various chronic diseases as well
as other complications. In 2011, at least 21%, representing 13.3 billion, women aged between 15
WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ISSUES 5
and 44 years were uninsured where majority came from the minority groups (Johnson et al.
2006). These included Hispanic, Indians, and African-American women. Critically, the higher
number of uninsured women than men may be credited to among other issues, lack of
information and resources to take insurance covers, and policy as well as legal barriers. Although
the number of the uninured women has gradually reduced in the recent past, a significant number
of women remain uninsured, exposing them to high medical costs and at times, death when they
cannot meet the heath costs. The increase in the number of insured women in the U.S. is
confirmed by Statista (2018), where it is apparent that between 2013 and 2017, the percentage of
uninsured women dropped from 18% to 12%. Despite the notable reduction in the uninsured
individuals, lack of insurance covers among the women in the nation is still a major quality
health care delivery problem that impairs the provisions of Affordable Care Acts (ACA).
(2018, January 17), where it is elaborated that ACA has worked to increase the insurance covers,
especially for women of the reproductive age. However, the analysis and study disclosed that
despite the efforts, not all women in the United States are benefitting equally. It is elaborate that
the Latinos and other immigrant women are likely to remain uninsured, proving an issue in the
health policy. According to the article, the disparity results from the individual’s income and their
state. The following chart shows the disparities in health insurance between the U.S natives and
women, by state and Medicaid expansion status in 2016 (Women’s Health Insurance Coverage,
Despite the subsidies given for health insurance through the various government policies,
some individuals living in extreme poverty, and those from marginalized communities may not
afford or access the insurance covers. Further, some women may remain uninsured since their
states of residence have not expanded their Medicaid programs to insure all the citizens. That
results in more uninsured people, more so, those living below the poverty line. That is because
these individuals do not qualify to get private insurance, hence, lack access to the affordable
health coverage. The apparent under-insurance among non-native women may result from legal
as well as policy barriers that deny them equal chances for health insurance as their American
counterparts. Critically, the health insurance of women in their reproductive stage hold
significant implications to the access of health care, as well as, sexual and reproductive care.
WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ISSUES 8
Lack of the medical cover not only compromises the role of ACA among other health policies
but it also exposes women to different challenges and death due to various health issues such as
cancer, fertility, heart disease, and mental health problems that are the major causes of women
Proposed Solutions
From a critical evaluation of the presented quality health care delivery issue, it is assertive
that it is strongly correlated with education levels, income levels, and lack of Medicaid
expansion in some states. While some individuals, more so, from the marginalized groups remain
uninsured due to lack of knowledge on the importance of health insurance, others lack the covers
due to low incomes, hence, cannot afford to pay the minimum amounts required. Poor
individuals living in states that have not expanded their Medicaid programs are most likely to
remain uninsured as they cannot afford private insurance despite the subsidizes given by their
federal governments. As such, in insuring the uninsured women in the United States, the
proposed solutions will involve educating the community on the importance of health insurance,
subsidizing the costs of health insurance, and expanding Medicaid program to all states in
America.
The first solution to reduce the number of uninsured women will involve educational
campaigns focused more on the marginalized communities in the United States. The campaigns
will be focused on educating women from marginalized communities on the importance of health
insurance. That is because despite some of them living in poverty while others live in states that
have not expanded Medicaid, ensuring education on the importance of medical cover will
WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ISSUES 9
significantly increase the number of women registering for life insurance. With the right value
for life insurance, women from the various marginalized groups will prioritize the importance of
life insurance. That is confirmed by Montez, Angel, and Angel (2009) who elaborates that a
woman’s health insurance is basically determined by their employment and marital status as well
as roles. It is elaborate that a significant number of women are beneficiaries of health insurance
from their spouses while others have insurance covers since their occupation requires them to
have them. That leaves the unmarried and those in occupations that do not cover their health
insurance uninsured. In their article, Montez, Angel, and Angel (2009) explores the employment,
marriage, as well as, inequality in health insurance among women with Mexican origins where it
is elaborate that the marriage and employment are the major determinants of health insurance
among the targeted group. As, such, engaging education on the importance of medical insurance
will significantly increase the number of the women seeking medical insurance. In the long-run,
that will solve the prevailing issue of un-insurance and under insurance among the marginalized
communities.
The other solution that will see an increase in the number of insured women in the United
States is an expansion of the Medicaid coverage as proposed by the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
As explained by Garfield, Damico, and Orgera (2018, June 13), it is elaborate that although a
significant number of people have gained health insurance as a result of Medicaid expansion,
some state’s decision not to implement the program has left many citizens without an affordable
health care coverage option. As recorded by Board (2017), only 33 states have expanded
Medicaid. That leaves 17 states without the medical cover, an aspect that exposes citizens in
these states to higher options of medical insurance. In all, the limited coverage has resulted in at
WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ISSUES 10
least two million uninsured adults who live under the line of poverty. Critically, the majority of
these uninsured individuals are women from marginalized communities who largely depend on
informal sources of employment. Moreover, the majority of these women are unmarried, hence,
do not fall under the dependents category. That proves that in dealing with the issue of
underinsurance among women in their reproductive ages, ensuring Medicaid expansion to all
states in America will increase the number of insured women. In the end, that will improve the
Subsidizing the costs of medical insurance, more so, the private medical insurance in nations
that has not expanded their Medicaid programs is the other solution to ensure an increase in the
number of uninsured women. That is because the majority of uninsured women are the poor from
the Medicaid non-expansive states. That is because without the government sponsored programs,
they cannot afford to secure private insurance covers. As such, in covering the marginalized
group, the respective state government should subsidize the costs of private insurance, a move
In expanding the Medicaid coverage in all states in America, the nation as well as the
respective states will incur some costs. That will be incurred in the campaigns on the importance
America. Per the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the federal government covers the entire costs of
the Medicaid expansion for the first three years. That prove that for the first three years of
medical expansion to the 18 states without Medicaid expansion will be catered by the federal
WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ISSUES 11
government. However, as elaborated by Powers (2017, December 8), the federal government will
continue funding the Medicaid programs in the respective states where after three years of
expansion, it will be providing a 90% funding for the Medicaid costs. That proves that although
the expansion will cost the federal government, it will reduce the expenses on medical insurance
in the various states. Nevertheless, the expansion will significantly increase the amounts paid as
tax to the government. That is confirmed by Anderson (2016) who elaborates that in funding the
Medicaid programs in all the states, the taxpayers will incur al the costs. Moreover, the
expansion will further result in increased federal deficits, hence suppressing economic
development. That proves that although expanding the Medicaid programs in all stats will
significantly ensure health insurance for women, more so those from minority groups, it will cost
insurance coverage through educational campaigns and expanding Medicaid coverage in all
states, some individuals support while others oppose the implementation. Below is a discussion
Supporters
The minority groups, especially those living in states without Medicaid expansions are the
first people likely to support the implementation of the proposed solutions. That is because these
individuals incur high costs securing private insurance while others, due to their low incomes,
cannot afford the private insurance programs. They, therefore, experience challenges accessing
WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ISSUES 12
medical assistance, leading to their suffering and even deaths. As such, the expansion of
Individuals living below the poverty line in the states that has not expanded Medicaid
programs are the other likely supporters of the implementation. That is because it will secure
Per the American Constitution, all American citizens have a right to access of good health
care (Atun et al. 2015). As such, implementing the proposed solution will ensure adherence to
the Constitution and concurrently improve the health of all individuals in the nation.
Opponents
i. Taxpayers
The taxpayers in the nation are the possible opponents to the proposed solution. That is
because in expanding the Medicaid coverage, the nation will increase the amounts paid as taxes
The policy makers in the US are the other individuals likely to oppose the implementation.
That is because each state in the US face its unique challenges, hence, no one solution fits all the
states following their economic and social diversity. As such, the policy makers and economists
would advocate the empowerment of individual states to design their unique solutions to their
specific challenges.
WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ISSUES 13
As an advocate, there are various specific steps that I would engage to ensure that the
proposal gets onto a committee in the state and federal legislature, an aspect that will see a
coverage for the women in their reproductive age, especially those in marginalized communities.
i. Active activism
In ensuring the agenda gets onto the official agenda, I would engage active activism in
support of the implementation. I would argue that as one nation, we are under one Constitution
that ensures equal rights and privileges of all regardless of their race, state, or financial status
among other individual differences. As such, the nation should ensure an even expansion of
Medicaid program, to see that all the individuals are equally covered.
Failure to expand Medicaid programs affects the marginalized groups more as compared to
the other members of the community. Engaging them will show the evidence of the needed
expansion as it will ensure medical coverage for them, hence ensuring their health.
WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ISSUES 14
References
Anderson, T. (2016). Some States Turning to Provider Taxes to Pay Their Share of Medicaid
provider-taxes.aspx
Atun, R., De Andrade, L. O. M., Almeida, G., Cotlear, D., Dmytraczenko, T., Frenz, P., ... & De
Blumenthal, D., & Collins, S. R. (2014). Health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act—a
progress report.
Board, A. (2017). Where the states stand on Medicaid expansion. Retrieved from
https://www.advisory.com/daily-briefing/resources/primers/medicaidmap
Johnson, P., Fitzgerald, T., Cohen, L., Wood, S. F., Mauery, D. R., White, T. M., ... & Ranji, U.
(2013). Ensuring the Health Care Needs of Women: A Checklist for Health Exchanges.
Johnson, K., Posner, S. F., Biermann, J., Cordero, J. F., Atrash, H. K., Parker, C. S., ... & Curtis,
United States: Report of the CDC/ATSDR Preconception Care Work Group and the
Garfield, R., Damico, A., & Orgera, K. (2018, June 13). The Coverage Gap: Uninsured Poor
https://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/the-coverage-gap-uninsured-poor-adults-in-
states-that-do-not-expand-medicaid/
WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ISSUES 15
Guttmacher. (2018, January 17). Fewer U.S. Women of Reproductive Age Were Uninsured in
reproductive-age-were-uninsured-2014
Guttmacher Institute. (2018, January 17). Immigrant women need health coverage, not legal
women-need-health-coverage-not-legal-barriers
Montez, J. K., Angel, J. L., & Angel, R. J. (2009). Employment, marriage, and inequality in
health insurance for Mexican-origin women. Journal of health and social behavior,
50(2), 132-148.
Powers, T. (2017, December 8). Taxpayers in Every State Bearing Costs of Medicaid Expansion.
medicaid-expansion/
Statista. (2018). Women's health insurance coverage U.S. 2013 vs. 2017 | Statistic. Retrieved
from https://www.statista.com/statistics/873596/health-insurance-coverage-among-us-
women/
https://www.statista.com/topics/3312/women-s-health-in-the-us/
https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/fact-sheet/womens-health-insurance-
coverage-fact-sheet/