Taking Care of Your Health—and Your Baby’s

Taking Care of Your Health—and Your Baby’s

By: Sylvia Mathews Burwell, HHS Secretary

Our communities are shaped by the health of our nation’s mothers and babies.
But sometimes it can be a challenge to take the steps we need every day to stay healthy. Somewhere between the morning rush, a packed day at work, and all of the practices and homework – we need to remember to eat well, stay active, and help our families stay healthy, too.
So I know how vital it is to have a little help in staying healthy. This Mother’s Day, we’re highlighting some of the tools that help women like me take care of our children and, just as importantly, ourselves. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, women have more resources to do just that, with greater access to health coverage and protections than ever before.
About 9.5 million women have gained health coverage since the Affordable Care Act took effect. And health insurance is better for every woman, no matter where she buys it. There are no longer annual or lifetime dollar limits on coverage, and insurers can no longer charge women more based solely on their gender or deny them coverage for pre-existing conditions.
But getting an insurance card is just the first step. Because of the ACA, health insurance sold today offers many preventive services at no out-of-pocket cost to help women and babies get the care they need to lead healthy and productive lives.
READ MORE: Taking Care of Your Health—and Your Baby’s