This post is a response to an article written by Ezra Klein about the top 5 issues in health care reform beyond the public option. These issues are of particular importance to women and their interests in the debate around health care reform. It is unacceptable for women to be forgotten and disenfranchised in the struggle for reform. The following are some comments about Klein’s five issues.

1. The Health Insurance Exchange: this is extremely important for women. A tenant of all the proposals being put forward is this exchange – basically an on-line market place where people could go to compare health insurance plans. Without one central place to find and compare health insurance benefits and prices, we have no way of knowing what is best for ourselves and our families.

2. Medicaid: Klein talks about who should be included in the expanded Medicaid program (what percentage of the federal poverty level should be included). This is also really important for women; we want as many women of low income to have access to a comprehensive public option. However, this is complicated because there is a federal restriction on reproductive health services (specifically abortion) in Medicaid. This restriction is in the form of the Hyde Amendment, which passed every year in appropriations bills. The Hyde Amendment has been a huge obstruction in the way of women looking for help paying for abortion care. It looks like even with a Democratic majority it won’t be overturned.

3. Subsidies: Ezra says; “You can't demand that people purchase something that they can't afford and that you're not willing to help them afford.” Amen to that. Women suffer when they have to make decisions about where to spend their money – food or health insurance premiums, or school for their kids. These kinds of sacrifices shouldn’t have to be made.

4. The Minimum Benefits Package: This means the collection of services included in the cheapest plan available. Even though people may have insurance, this doesn’t mean they are covered. This is so important for women . We want to make sure ALL reproductive health services (and other services essential for women) are included in a minimum benefits package, no exceptions.

5. Choosing not to keep what you have: Another important piece for women. Is there real, actual choice in reform? Can women truly decide what coverage they and their family gets? It is important that women can not only choose to keep what insurance plan they have, but choose not to keep what they already have.

Another related piece is the increasing buzz in Washington right now about the inclusion of reproductive health care for women of all ages in the public option, the private options, and in the proposed health insurance exchange. Raising Women’s Voices has put out a few alerts about this topic that are making the rounds in the blogosphere. It is extremely important that these benefits are not barred from health coverage for any woman, but especially those most vulnerable: the poor.

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