FLOTUS: Health Care A Women’s Issue
EmailABC’s Jordyn Phelps reports:
First Lady Michelle Obama today made the case for health care reform as an issue with special significance for women.
“Women are among those who will benefit most from health insurance reform because the truth is that women, we have a special relationship with our health care system,” Mrs. Obama said. “In a lot of families that’s true because we are the health care system in so many ways.”
The First Lady made the remarks during an event in the East Room of the White House today that brought together dozens of mostly older women to share their stories about experiences with the current health care system.
“When all is said and done, part of why I believe so strongly in reforming our health care system is because of the difference it will make for these women who gave us life — so simple — these women who raised us, these women who supported us through the years,” Mrs. Obama said. “ They deserve better than the status quo. They deserve a health care system that heals them and lifts them up.”
The First Lady said studies show eight in ten mothers take the lead in selecting health care providers for their children and that over ten percent of women in the United States are caring for an elderly family member.
Mrs. Obama also addressed inequalities some women face under their health insurance coverage.
“Because women make less than 80 cents for every dollar their male coworkers make, it’s more difficult for them to pay their premiums — especially when studies show that they’re paying far more than men for the same coverage,” she said.
Turning to Medicare, the First Lady reiterated her husband’s commitment to the beneficiary program, saying “not a dime of the Medicare trust fund will be used to pay for reform.”
“My husband believes that Medicare is a sacred part of America’s social safety net, and it’s a safety net that he will protect,” the First Lady said.
Mrs. Obama was joined at today’s event by Nancy-Ann DeParle, Director of the White House Health Reform Office, and three women who shared their personal stories of difficulty affording health care.
“All of these stories reflect the fundamental reality — and that is, women are among those struggling most under the status quo, the way things are,” Mrs. Obama said.
FLOTUS Fashion Watch: The First Lady wore a yellow sweater with a brocade yellow skirt and belt around her waist. Her hair was pulled back in an up-do, and she wore diamond earrings.
–Jordyn Phelps
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To whom does this kind of presentation appeal?
Posted by: MayBee | November 13, 2009, 6:19 pm 6:19 pm
Good spin but stay out of my family’s health care choices.
Posted by: Jenny | November 13, 2009, 6:58 pm 6:58 pm
MayBee | Nov 13, 2009 6:19:25 PM posted: “To whom does this kind of presentation appeal?”
Possibly the 8 in 10 mothers who select health care providers for their kids.
Or perhaps the 10% of women in the US caring for an elderly family member.
Or, just maybe those women who are part of the 46.3 million without health insurance coverage in 2008.
Posted by: CenterOne | November 13, 2009, 7:22 pm 7:22 pm
Gallup reports today that a majority now believes that health care is not the responsibility of the federal government, a very sharp turnaround in the past year.
The public revulsion with Pelosicare is maturing.
Posted by: Fascist Hyena | November 13, 2009, 7:22 pm 7:22 pm
CenterOne- it just isn’t an issue that needs to be made into another way women and men are different.
Posted by: MayBee | November 13, 2009, 7:43 pm 7:43 pm
@MayBee: I don’t see this as Michelle Obama promoting the “differences” between a man and a woman, but directing a focus to help women in situations that already exist.
For example, The US has the highest percentage of single-parent families among developed countries, mostly headed by a woman. The demands of work, housework, and parenting can be overwhelming for a single mother, including the worry over health care for her kids.
Posted by: CenterOne | November 13, 2009, 7:57 pm 7:57 pm
“Obamacrat for Palin” – LOL as if you were EVER an Obama supporter. The idea that “grandmas” would be encouraged to end their lives is an outright distortion.
The idea is to provide an option for elderly patients who want to learn more about living wills, health care proxies and other forms of end-of-life planning.
Posted by: CenterOne | November 13, 2009, 8:04 pm 8:04 pm
If Healthcare is a woman’s issue, why are the Democrats proposing bills that will effectively terminate access to abortion?
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Please quote the passages from the bill that effectively terminate access to abortion.
Posted by: tierra | November 13, 2009, 8:10 pm 8:10 pm
Gallup reports today that a majority now believes that health care is not the responsibility of the federal government, a very sharp turnaround in the past year.
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I wonder who those people would have responded if asked if health care is the responsibility of insurance companies.
Posted by: tierra | November 13, 2009, 8:13 pm 8:13 pm
tierra:”I wonder HOW those people would have responded if asked if health care is the responsibility of insurance companies.”
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No, tierra. Like most things one’s health care is the responsibility of the individual.
Posted by: Woody | November 13, 2009, 8:36 pm 8:36 pm
Could we please do without those fashion statements? The adjectives asinine and juvenile, as well as totally irrelevant, come to mind.
Posted by: BachisBest | November 13, 2009, 8:38 pm 8:38 pm
Sure, health care is a women’s issue. And a senior’s issue. And a children’s issue. Minorities? Is it a minorities issue, too? It’s a union issue. It’s a non-union issue. It’s a small business issue. See the pattern here? It’s a thinly veiled attempt to make small groups feel like they have an extra special place with this administration. “We feel your pain” all over again.
Posted by: Woody | November 13, 2009, 8:40 pm 8:40 pm
I forgot to say that the fashion statements are also demeaning to women.
Now if you would include something about the suits and ties our various officials wear, that might be different.
For instamce, John Boehner has a selection of colorful ties, but we never hear about them.
Posted by: BachisBest | November 13, 2009, 8:41 pm 8:41 pm
What a joke. She and her husband don’t care about women’s healthcare. They just want a bill so it looks like Obama has done something. On more than one occassion Obama has thrown women’s healthcare under the bus. Recently, with the Stupak Amendment, and previously, in the stimulus, when he agreed to slash funding for birth control.
How can she even pretend to care about women’s health care!
Posted by: Bubbles | November 13, 2009, 8:44 pm 8:44 pm
Gallup reports today that a majority now believes that health care is not the responsibility of the federal government, a very sharp turnaround in the past year.
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I wonder who those people would have responded if asked if health care is the responsibility of insurance companies.
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I was pointing out that the way you ask the question biases the answer.
Obviously, a majority of people would answer the second question ‘no’ and yet insurance companies play a huge role in health care.
Same as the first question.
Posted by: tierra | November 13, 2009, 9:02 pm 9:02 pm
I heard Michelle Obama talking today about how health reform benefitted older women. I’m 64 so good for me! But the house bill threw younger women under the bus. Are they angry? If not, than I’m OK getting mine, mine, mine!
Posted by: Kathy Kirk | November 14, 2009, 1:03 am 1:03 am
Please! So, that is what her husband and Pelosi were doing when they threw women under the bus. They were fighting for women’s right to health care. Oh, and I am so glad Michelle is aware that women are paid 80 cents for every dollar a man makes. Maybe she could inform her husband of this so he can give all his female workers a raise. You know, to bring them up to par with their male counterparts.
Posted by: Lisa | November 14, 2009, 5:05 am 5:05 am
Does FLOTUS believe that the nation can keep on with a spending spree that increases at a rate seven times higher than revenue?
Posted by: Ed Taylor | November 14, 2009, 10:01 am 10:01 am
My mom worked and took good care of us…we had insurance while we were growing up provided through her employer. When I went to school, and turned 21, thank God the University had basic healthcare that I purchased with loan money…..now she’s 58, unemployed and Without Healthcare…..I DON’T THINK THIS IS FAIR IN AMERICA….THIS IS THE TIME SHE NEED IT MOST.
Posted by: sara | November 14, 2009, 7:14 pm 7:14 pm
Lie Michelle lie…..she and her hubby both need to be put in jail.
Posted by: VeryPainfulTruth | November 14, 2009, 8:37 pm 8:37 pm
VeryPainfulTruth | Nov 14, 2009 8:37:15 PM posted “Lie Michelle lie…..she and her hubby both need to be put in jail.”
How is it a “lie” that women make less than 80 cents for every dollar their male coworkers make? How is it a “lie” that women pay more than men for the same coverage?
And why should she “need to be put in jail”? Seriously, it sounds unhinged.
Posted by: CenterOne | November 15, 2009, 3:54 pm 3:54 pm