FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

"Fixing Our Broken Health Care System Begins Now," Women's Leader Says

Statement of Debra L. Ness, President, National Partnership for Women & Families

WASHINGTON, DC — March 30, 2010 — "Today, with the stroke of his pen, President Obama put the finishing touches on long overdue changes that can make America's health care system more affordable, more accessible, more efficient, more centered on patients, and more fair for those who for too long suffered discrimination in insurance and disparities in care. With Congress finally clearing the last legislative hurdle and the President signing the reconciliation package into law, the work to reform our broken health care system begins.

Today is, in fact, a beginning. The hard work of making reform a reality now rests with President Obama, Secretary Sebelius and the states. Now they must establish rules so that no person is denied coverage or care because of gender, age, health status, income or employment; so people who are sick can focus on getting well instead of worrying that they will lose their coverage; and so patients and their caregivers can count on more coordinated care.

Now, with this phase of the work done and implementation about to begin, we call on Congress to reverse the anti-choice provisions in this law, and render the President's Executive Order null and void. This advance must not come at the expense of women's health.

This law gives us the building blocks to create a health care system that works. Fixing our broken health care system begins now."

The National Partnership for Women & Families is a non-profit, non-partisan advocacy group dedicated to promoting fairness in the workplace, access to quality health care and policies that help women and men meet the dual demands of work and family.

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