Q: How does a woman’s right to access birth control affect her life?
Marla Ahlgrimm: Women have every right to determine when and if motherhood is in their immediate future. Having the ability to control this is vital to a woman’s health and happiness. Unfortunately, despite strides in recent years including the inclusion of birth control in most insurance policies, women still face barriers from unwilling employers and politicians intent on defunding birth control programs.
Q: Has the Affordable Care Act made access to healthcare easier for women?
Marla Ahlgrimm: The Affordable Care Act, which was initiated by President Obama just after his inauguration, has expanded healthcare coverage to women and families in all 50 states. The law provides for no out-of-pocket costs associated with well-woman visits, breastfeeding supplies, and contraceptives.
Q: What about the women who slip through the gaps and are not eligible to receive coverage through the ACA?
Marla Ahlgrimm: The law isn’t perfect. Groups such as the National Women’s Law Center work tirelessly to ensure equal access to healthcare regardless of a person’s income. Today, Medicare and Medicaid continue to serve public health interests, particularly for low income women.
Q: How do pregnant women face discrimination in the workplace?
Marla Ahlgrimm: During a healthy pregnancy, most women won’t require any special accommodations. However, some physicians will impose restrictions on the mother-to-be that may require temporary job adjustments, including avoiding lifting heavy objects or sitting instead of standing for long periods of time. While these accommodations are willingly provided to workers with disabilities, pregnancy is not considered a disability and women’s requests for adjustments are often denied.
