National Women's Health Week

National Women’s Health Week was created 12 years ago by the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Women’s Health as a way of showcasing the importance of primary and preventative care for women of all ages. It is a time for families and communities to work together to promote preventative care among women. The United Way of Madison County understands the importance of women’s healthcare and promotes state and national programs that can help with the costs.

Women have a variety of barriers to accessing the care they need, including a hectic work schedule and personal commitments. Unfortunately, cost is far too often a barrier to healthcare. Women that are uninsured or underinsured often find themselves unable to afford the preventative care they need to live a healthy lifestyle. For these women, their health and well-being are all too often sacrificed for rent, groceries or a tank of gas.

Women of all age groups can receive healthcare coverage after meeting certain income guidelines. Women between the ages of 19 and 64 can apply for the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), which provides free preventative care and low cost primary healthcare. Most Madison County doctors accept HIP. Hoosier Healthwise covers pregnant women and young women under the age of nineteen. It also provides immediate coverage for pregnant women and provides emergency services, including the delivery, for undocumented immigrants. The new healthcare reform provides funding for The Pre-Existing Health Plan, which covers people that have been denied insurance due to a pre-existing condition and provides extensive preventative care. Even Medicare has added free preventative care as an incentive to recipients.

Women’s National Health Week is an important opportunity to take a few minutes to promote preventative care to all the women in your life. Remind them that there is no better time than now to schedule a check-up with their doctor and that their health is just as important to you as it is to them. For women that are uninsured or underinsured, contact the United Way of Madison County at 765-608-3060 or email Jamesey Thomas at j.thomas@unitedwaymadisonco.org to learn more about available health coverage programs.  Visit the Office of Women’s Health at www.womenshealth.gov to learn more about National Women’s Health Week.