Rep. Sánchez Applauds Schwarzenegger for Signing Gender Bill

Sánchez Works to Make Similar Federal Law

Washington, DC - Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-CA), applauded California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for signing state legislation into law to end gender discrimination in health insurance premiums. The new law will prevent health insurers from charging men and women different rates for the same health insurance policies in the individual market.

"Governor Schwarzenegger set the stage for the rest of the country by signing the gender rating bill into law," said Rep. Linda Sánchez. "I've introduced federal legislation that would apply this same idea to every state and rid the nation's health insurance laws of open sex discrimination, help millions of Americans obtain affordable health care coverage, and assist overburdened public health systems."

Earlier this year, Rep. Sánchez introduced the Gender Equity in Health Premiums Act in Congress, which would amend the Public Health Service Act to prohibit gender rating in both the group and individual markets. Sánchez also listed her Top 5 Reasons Health Insurance Isn't Fair to Women a compelling list of realities for why we need the Gender Equity in Health Premiums Act.

"Women have the most to benefit from health insurance reform - and this is just one reason," continued Sánchez. "I am pleased that my colleagues in both the House and Senate agree-all versions of the health reform bill include my provision to end "gender rating" so that women don't have to pay higher premiums simply on the basis of their sex."