Improving access to affordable, quality heathcare
Participants discussed the need for health care that was affordable, multicultural and comprehensive. The need for women and girls to have access to affordable, quality health care was a concern that was echoed throughout the state. California’s health care system must respond to the needs of residents who are ethnically, geographically and economically diverse.
Poverty, the high cost of health insurance, the decrease in public resources and a decline in employer-sponsored health insurance coverage combine to keep many Californians from obtaining the health care services they need for preventive, acute and chronic care. Because women are often the primary caretakers of children as well as of elderly and ill or disabled family members, they are doubly affected by the inadequacies of the health care system. Nearly two-thirds of women indicated that they alone were responsible for health care decisions for their family, and 83 percent had sole or shared responsibilities for financial decisions regarding their family’s health.
In 2002–2003, the most recent year for which statistics are available, 21 percent — or approximately 3.6 million women in California — lacked health insurance. Put another way, one in six California women between 18 and 64 years old does not have health insurance. Most likely because they are not covered by insurance, women are more likely than men to report delaying medical care because of expense.
Five-Year Comparison of Issues Concerning Women in California
In 2000, the Women’s Foundation conducted a survey of women throughout the state to poll their top issues of concern. This table compares the top five issues cited in the 2000 survey to the top five issues cited by women participating in the Road to Equity Tour survey and roundtables in 2005.*
- 1. Access to health care*
- 2. Public schools (quality education)
- 3. Reducing violence against women and girls
- (Ranked 6 out of the top 20 issues in 2000)
- 4. Controlling the spread of AIDS 3. Ensuring women’s economic security
- 5. Ensuring equal pay for equal work* 4. Improving access to safe and affordable housing
