Senators Warren, Young and Whitmer offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 83.

            A resolution to memorialize Congress to adopt legislation expressing the sense that national health care reform should ensure that the health care needs of women in the United States are met.

            Whereas, Women without health insurance bear significant threats to their health and the health of their children. Uninsured women with breast cancer are more likely to die from the disease than insured women with breast cancer. Uninsured women do not receive adequate cancer screening exams, putting them at greater risk of a diagnosis for late-stage cervical cancer. Thirteen percent of all pregnant women are uninsured, making them less likely to seek prenatal care and more likely to experience an adverse health outcome after giving birth. The lack of, or inadequate receipt of, prenatal care is associated with pregnancy-related mortality two to three times higher and infant mortality six times higher than that of women receiving early prenatal care. It is also associated with an increased risk of low birth weight and preterm birth; and

            Whereas, Women rely on women's health care providers throughout their lives for comprehensive primary and preventive care, surgical care, and treatment and management of both acute and long-term health problems. A "medical home" should ensure each woman direct access to women's health care providers and care coordination throughout her lifetime. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both women and men, but women are less likely than men to receive lifestyle counseling, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and cardiac rehabilitation and are more likely to die or have a second heart attack, demonstrating inequalities between women and men in access to health care; and

            Whereas, High costs of health care hit women particularly hard. Women pay 68 percent more than men for out-of-pocket medical costs, due in large part to reproductive health care needs. In 2004, 1 in 6 women with individual health care coverage postponed or went without, needed health care because they could not afford it. High-deductible health insurance plans are marketed as inexpensive options to young women, yet such plans often fail to cover pregnancy-related care, the most expensive health care event most young families face and the leading cause of hospital stays for young women; and

            Whereas, Affordable health care is needed by women throughout life's transitions, including starting a family, changing jobs, working part-time or full-time, divorce, caring for an elderly or sick family member, having a major disease, and retirement. Women are less likely than men to receive health insurance through their employers and more likely than men to be insured as a dependent, making them more vulnerable than men to insurance loss in the event of divorce or death of a spouse. The lack of affordable health care coverage creates barriers for women who want to change jobs or create their own small businesses; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we memorialize Congress to adopt legislation expressing the sense that national health care reform should ensure that the health care needs of women in the United States are met; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.