Women and health reform: how national health care can enhance coverage, affordability, and access for women (examples from massachusetts).
BACKGROUND
Massachusetts women have the highest rates of health insurance coverage in the nation and women's access to care has improved across all demographic groups. However, important challenges persist. As national health reform implementation moves forward under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), states will likely encounter many of the same women's health challenges experienced in Massachusetts over the past 7 years.


METHODS
A review of the literature and data analyses comparing health care services access, utilization, and cost, and health outcomes from Massachusetts pre- and post-2006 health care reform identified two key challenges in women's continuity of coverage and affordability.


CONCLUSIONS
These areas are crucial for state and national policymakers to consider in improving women's health as they work to implement health care reform at the state and federal levels.
Women's Health Policy & Advocacy Program, Connors Center for Women's Health and Gender Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. Electronic address: tfitzgerald1@partners.org.
Therese
T
Fitzgerald
Women's Health Policy & Advocacy Program, Connors Center for Women's Health and Gender Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
Laura
L
Cohen
Independent Health Policy Consultant, Newton, Massachusetts.
Tracey
T
Hyams
Ropes & Gray LLP, Boston, Massachusetts.
Katherine M
KM
Sullivan
Connors Center for Women's Health and Gender Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Women's Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Paula A
PA
Johnson
D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D018166:Health Care Reform / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008404:Massachusetts; D058991:Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States; D016387:Women's Health