[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 125, 112th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 8670 of May 6, 2011

National Women's Health Week, 2011
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Women are a foundation of our families, and their health affects the
well-being of our communities and our country. They often make health
care decisions for their families as well as themselves. However,
American women have not always had access to the health care they need,
or the freedom to make the best health choices for their loved ones. As
a Nation, we must ensure our mothers, daughters, friends, and colleagues
receive fair treatment and access to resources they need to live
healthy, happy lives. During National Women's Health Week, we reaffirm
our commitment to making women's health a priority.
In the past, insurance companies have effectively considered being a
woman a ``pre-existing condition,'' and the specific medical needs of
women meant higher fees and less coverage. Before the Affordable Care
Act became law last year, insurance companies could deny coverage to
women due to previous events such as having had cancer or having been
pregnant. In 2014, it will be illegal for insurance companies to
discriminate against anyone with a pre-existing condition, or charge
women higher premiums than they charge men.
The Affordable Care Act gives women greater freedom and control over
their health care. Thanks to this landmark legislation, women joining
new health plans have the ability to choose their own doctor from any
primary care provider, OB-GYN, or pediatrician in their health plan's
network without a referral. The new insurance exchanges created by this
law ensure coverage of preventive care and basic health services,
including maternity care, which is often not provided in health plans in
the individual insurance market.

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National Women's Health Week is also an opportunity for women of all
ages, ethnicities, and economic circumstances to take simple, everyday
steps to embrace healthier lifestyles. This week, we encourage women to
schedule their annual checkups and talk to their health care provider
about important health screenings, many of which will be free of charge
because of the Affordable Care Act. All American women and their loved
ones can visit www.WomensHealth.gov and www.GirlsHealth.gov for more
information and resources on living longer and healthier lives. During
National Women's Health Week, I encourage women, and all Americans, to
make their own health a priority and support each other in these
efforts.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 8 through May 14,
2011, as National Women's Health Week. I encourage all Americans to
celebrate the progress we have made in protecting women's health and to
promote awareness, prevention, and educational activities that improve
the health of all women.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of May,
in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of
the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
BARACK OBAMA