Issue Position: Women

Issue Position

The wage gap among men and women is still prevalent and American women make approximately 78 cents for every dollar their male counterparts earn. The pay gap for female minorities is even greater. I voted for, and Congress passed, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, giving women the right to seek legal redress for wage discrimination. Additionally, I am a proud cosponsor of the Paycheck Fairness Act to deter wage discrimination by ensuring that employers who try to justify paying a man more than a woman for the same job show that the disparity is job related and necessary. This legislation would also strengthen legal remedies to include punitive and compensatory damages.

Women have unique health care needs, and often make important health care decisions for their families. In March 2010, my colleagues and I in Congress enacted the Affordable Care Act, which benefits women's health. Since its enactment, 26.9 million women with private health insurance have gained expanded preventive services, including mammograms, cervical cancer screenings, prenatal care, flu and pneumonia shots, and regular well-baby and well-child visits. Additionally, many health plans now cover additional preventive services, including well-woman visits, screening for gestational diabetes, domestic violence screening, breastfeeding supplies, and contraceptive services. An estimated 8.7 million of these women have gained coverage for maternity services. Additionally, as many as 65 million women with pre-existing conditions can no longer be discriminated against or charges higher premiums for their health coverage. Furthermore, insurance companies in the individual and small group markets will no longer be permitted to charge higher rates due to gender or health status.

I believe women's needs are especially critical on an international level. As a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I have worked to address issues affecting women both at home and abroad, especially to health care. That is why I introduced H.R. 2241, the Global Health Innovation Act of 2015. This bill would help to address health care needs around the world and reduce the threat of pandemic diseases.

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