DENVER – Nuevas reglas emitidas por la administración Trump permiten a los empleados de aseguradoras negar cobertura en casos de anticoncepción, poniendo a 53 mil mujeres en riesgo de perder su seguro médico para control natal.

De tal manera que hoy, cuando abre la inscripción para cobertura de salud bajo la Ley de Atención Asequible (“Affordable Care Act”), las mujeres de Colorado y de todo el país podrían terminar pagando mucho más de su bolsillo por la cobertura de control natal.

El Presidente Donald Trump recientemente allanó el camino para que los empleados eliminen de sus planes de salud la atención contraceptiva.

Emily Johnson, analista “senior” de políticas y estadística en el Instituto de la Salud de Colorado (“Colorado Health Institute”), dice que 53 mil mujeres del estado podrían acabar sin cobertura para surtir sus recetas de control natal.

“La Ley de Cuidado Asequible también exige planes de seguro para tratamientos de control natal como un servicio de prevención saludable para mujeres, lo que significa que debe ser un servicio sin costo que las mujeres pueden tener para todas las principales formas de control natal.”

En octubre la administración Trump emitió reglas que permitirían a las empresas negarle a las mujeres trabajadoras un seguro de salud para anticoncepción, arguyendo que las mujeres que tengan objeciones religiosas o morales ante el control natal no deberían pagar la cobertura.

Una investigación hecha entre mujeres que tienen negocios pequeños detectó que muchas ven el acceso al control natal como factor crítico para avanzar en la carrera, para el lanzamiento de empresas o para su progreso.

Emily Dewey gerente de difusión en Mayoría de Negocios Pequeños (“Small Business Majority”), que fue el grupo comisionado a levantar el estudio, dice que el acceso al control natal asequible es más que un problema de salud.

“Tener acceso a servicios de salud con un precio crítico, incluso el acceso al control natal, puede hacer la diferencia para que una mujer pueda iniciar un negocio o hacerlo crecer, y convertirse en empresaria fuerte que genera empleos en la economía de hoy.”

De acuerdo al Departamento de Salud Pública y Medio Ambiente de Colorado (“Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment”), la tasa de nacimientos de madres adolescentes y la cantidad de abortos han bajado significativamente debido al mejor acceso que hay a los servicios de planificación familiar.

Johnson agrega que las empresas que no cubrieron la contracepción antes del ACA podrían resistirse a hacer retroactivo el beneficio.

“Una vez que la gente tiene un nuevo beneficio del seguro de salud, es mucho más difícil quitárselo que si nunca se le brindó en primer lugar. Así que no podemos estar seguros de si cada mujer que antes no tuvo cobertura de control natal, vaya a perderla.”

La Unión Americana de Libertades Civiles exigió, a nombre de un sindicato de trabajadores, que se bloqueen estas nuevas normas.

El análisis del “Colorado Health Institute” (CHI) está en coloradohealthinstitute.org - La investigación, en smallbusinessmajority.org - El reporte del “Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment” (CDPHE), en colorado.gov.


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Health disparities in Texas are not only making some people sick, but affecting the state's economy.

A new study shows Texas is losing $7 billion a year because it does not adequately address quality-of-life issues and the health care needs of its lower-income residents.

The research was sponsored by the Episcopal Health Foundation, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, and St. David's Foundation.

Brian Sasser, chief communications officer for the Episcopal Health Foundation, said health care includes more than doctors' visits and medication.

"Everything from increasing access to affordable health insurance to investing in under-resourced neighborhoods to give them more options, whether that's exercise options or food options," Sasser outlined. "Look at policy changes that expand health insurance coverage for new moms."

The report breaks down the economic costs of preventable health differences for every Texas county. It found Bexar, Dallas, Harris, Tarrant and Travis counties are losing the most money annually because of health disparities.

The amount of the economic impact depends on the racial and ethnic makeup of the county and the size of its working-age population. Sasser added the report shows Black and Hispanic children are more likely to grow up in neighborhoods with high poverty levels, and higher rates of diabetes and obesity.

"What can we do to work to make sure that the rate of diabetes isn't dramatically different between white households and Black households?" Sasser asked. "That we can make sure the food insecurity isn't dramatically different between someone who makes over $100,000 and someone who makes less than $30,000?"

The Texas Legislature has passed laws to address some of the disparities, including House Bill 12. It extends Medicaid health coverage for 12 months for new mothers, and pays for maternal health services for community health workers and doulas.

There is light at the end of the tunnel for Tennesseans struggling with opioid addiction, as a bill has been passed to increase access to treatment for opioid use disorder at Community Health Centers.

More than 3,800 lives were lost to overdose in the state in 2021, according to the Tennessee Department of Health.

Emily Waitt, policy and advocacy manager for the Tennessee Primary Care Association, said the original bill limited the number of patients nurse practitioners and physician assistants could treat with buprenorphine. The update removes the limitations, allowing more Tennesseans to access medication assisted treatment in their communities.

"It allows NPs and PAs to prescribe to 100 patients at a time, versus 50," Waitt explained. "Basically doubling the number of patients that they can prescribe to."

Community Health Centers serve more than 423,000 patients across Tennessee, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. About 7.7% of Tennesseans do not have health insurance.

Libby Thurman, CEO of the Tennessee Primary Care Association, said bringing the treatment to rural health centers expands access to a crucial service for patients who otherwise could not afford it. She noted it is important because people in remote areas often face challenges finding specialists and treatment facilities.

"We really wanted to work on this issue, because we know our Community Health Centers are where patients go for care," Thurman emphasized. "We really believe in an integrated model. So we want to treat the whole person, including if they are struggling with an addiction issue or a substance abuse disorder issue."

Health Centers offer behavioral health care, including counseling, along with treatment. The clinics also focus on creating a supportive network to help patients with family resources, job assistance and community connections.

While Black Maternal Health Week is wrapping up, health disparities for pregnant Black women continues to be an issue.

From April 11-17 this year, the high death rate of Black mothers is in the spotlight. Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than their white counterparts.

Dr. Patricia Egwuatu, a family practice physician at Kaiser Permanente in Seattle, said racism is at the root of the disparities, which create barriers to health care access. She pointed out lack of access can lead to problems during pregnancy that are preventable or treatable.

"They may exist prior to pregnancy and then it gets worse during pregnancy if it's not managed as part of that maternity care," Egwuatu emphasized. "There are more pregnant women that have chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and heart disease that are amplified during pregnancy."

The White House released a proclamation recognizing Black Maternal Health Week. The Biden administration began recognizing the week in 2021.

Egwuatu noted there are some warning signs any pregnant woman should be aware of and check in with their physician if they develop.

"You might get some changes in your vision that is not your normal. So, like, fuzziness, you can't see as well, or an excruciating headache," Egwuatu outlined. "You could also develop new swelling in your lower extremities that's making it difficult to get around or even new shortness of breath."

Egwuatu stressed physicians also need to recognize the role of racism in medicine. She argued continuous medical education is important for learning how to confront biases, and it is important for doctors to understand how they can provide people with resources.

"Asking the questions about personal barriers," Egwuatu suggested. "Does a patient have issues with getting to work, child care, transportation? What's their education, what's their cultural background and language? And do they even have a cell phone so we can connect with them?"