Legislation Would Require Gender Parity in Health Insurance Costs

Senator John Kerry made news this week with legislation aimed at making health insurance for men and women cost the same.

In a statement, Kerry notes that women who receive insurance from employers are already protected from higher rates by state and federal laws, while his law would apply to the 5.7 million women who buy individual policies.

The proposed law would require insurers to charge the same for policies for women and men while barring limits on coverage based on past or current pregnancies or methods of delivery, such as Cesarean sections.

All policies on the individual market would be required to provide comprehensive maternity coverage, and the Health and Human Services Department would have the authority to impose fines of at least $10,000 for violations.

"With Mother's Day around the corner, there's no better gift to American women than discrimination-free, affordable and accessible insurance that meets their health needs," said Kerry. The Massachusetts Democrat went on to suggest that states could follow the lead of his state by banning gender rating and requiring coverage of maternity services on health insurance policies.

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