by Rita Linhardt, Missouri Catholic Conference

Catholic teaching has long supported health care as a basic human right and the need to work for better health care services as a moral imperative. The 1995 papal encyclical Evangelium Vitae (“Gospel of Life”) challenges each of us to be in service of life and the common good. One area of health care that is in need of expanded advocacy is the issue of women’s health care.

When discussing the subject of women’s health care the first topics many individuals focus on are reproductive issues. But women’s health is far broader than just childbearing, and the volatile issues of contraceptives and abortion. The Missouri Catholic Conference (MCC) shares in the belief that women’s health care involves a comprehensive approach to not only meeting the physical and emotional health needs of women, but also addressing the barriers that prevent women from getting the care they need.

Focusing on comprehensive health care for women involves thinking beyond traditional “pro-life” terms. Without a doubt, Missouri has a strong tradition of pro-life advocacy to protect women and children. The MCC, working with other pro-life groups, has been successful in getting legislation passed that bans certain abortion practices including partial birth abortions, strengthens Missouri’s parental consent law, and requires abortion doctors to have clinical privileges at hospitals. The MCC has also been an aggressive advocate for the alternatives to abortion program that provides services to pregnant women to help them choose life for their unborn child. In 1993 MCC’s advocacy helped expand Medicaid healthcare benefits for pregnant women from 133% of the federal poverty level to 185%. The following next year abortions in Missouri fell by 1,558, the biggest drop since abortion was legalized in 1973. These are accomplishments for which the pro-life community can be proud.

However, if we are to build a true culture of life for women in our state we must recognize and address that women have specialized medical needs in order to remain healthy. According to the National Women’s Law Center, women, because they tend to live longer than men, have higher rates of disability and chronic conditions. Women are more inclined to report mental health issues than men. Women’s reproductive needs require them to get regular check ups, whether or not they have children or if they are sexually active. Also, women of all ages are nearly 40% more likely than men to take prescription medications on a regular basis.

In the last decade there has been a renewed interest and activism in our country devoted to women’s health issues. One area of real progress has been including women in clinical trials to examine gender differences as they relate to areas such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease. In addition there has been a wealth of information gathered on issues of osteoporosis and breast cancer screening, prevention and treatment. Other studies have looked at issues affecting morbidity and mortality in women.

While progress has been made in research, much needs to be done. Many women in our state and nation don’t receive basic health care services. There is a variety of reasons that women neglect their own care. Women themselves often place more priority on their obstetric needs than other health issues. Mothers with dependent children often put their children’s needs ahead of their own and won’t seek care for themselves.

Finances also are a factor in getting health care for women. It is estimated that about 17 million women in the U.S. are without any health coverage at all. Even for women with coverage, women more often than men have insurance that doesn’t cover all the health services they need and require higher out-of-pocket payments. Because women tend to be poorer than men, having to pay for medical expenses represents a greater portion of their income. Life changes such as divorce and separation can also result in loss of health coverage for women. With women spending 68% more on health care than men during their reproductive years (15-44) it is imperative to address the financial aspects of women’s health care.

There are a variety of strategies that could positively impact women’s health and address comprehensive health care for women:

1. Continuing the research.
More studies need to be done to find out how various conditions, diseases and medications affect women. Aside from gynecologic and obstetric needs, many diseases and conditions affect women and men differently and at different points in their lives.

2. Educating to dispel the myths about women’s health issues.
For example, many people believe that heart disease is a man’s problem. According to the American Heart Association more women than men die of heart disease each year, yet only 13% of women know that heart disease is a major threat to their health. Missouri women suffer from arthritis and high blood pressure at a rate higher than the national average. Outreach needs to be done to educate women on these and other health risks.

3. Expanding insurance coverage for women’s health issues.
While Missouri mandates insurance coverage for breast and cervical cancer screening, ovarian cancer screening is not covered. Expanding coverage for important health issues can provide women the incentive they need to get proper care.

4. Expanding Medicaid coverage to include more poor women.
For the very poor women in the state Medicaid provides the vital health services they need. When Medicaid eligibility was scaled back in 2005 in Missouri, approximately 68,000 working parents with dependent children lost health coverage. Many of these were women. By raising the eligibility level from the current rate of 22% of the federal poverty level (approximately $3,650 a year) more women can be served. With an estimated 8% of Missouri women uninsured, expanding Medicaid is an important step to improve women’s health.

There should be no conflict between championing women’s health and promoting pro-life policies. If women’s health needs are neglected, the health of the entire family is jeopardized. Research indicates that children of women who lack health care coverage are also likely not to have health coverage.

As the 2007 legislative sessions opens, there will be opportunities for improving the health care for women across our state. Much of this legislation will be life affirming for women and consistent with Church teaching on both sanctity of life and access to health care. The MCC realizes that various groups within our faith community may have a particular interest in certain legislation. Advocacy on these issues is always valuable and the MCC welcomes additional support as we work to improve health care and promote the common good.