Gov. Butch Otter’s recent executive order allows for the design and sale of health plans that are not compliant with federal law. Some recently announced health plans appear to provide a cheaper alternative to Idahoans than current options, but the way they get there is by eliminating coverage for pre-existing conditions and maternity care, limiting annual benefits and charging higher premiums to older, sicker individuals and, especially, women. Allowing health plans to be sold in Idaho that fail to protect critical women’s health care services takes us in the wrong direction.

The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that under these plans, insurers could charge older, sicker consumers premiums that are as much as 15 times that of a young, healthy Idahoan purchasing coverage.

These plans would specifically put women’s access to health care in danger and threaten our economic security by taking us back to a time when women were charged more for health insurance than men, when health insurance often failed to cover essential preventive care and when many women couldn’t find affordable health coverage.

Recently Idaho has seen progress in women’s health and protection, improving lives across the state. Not that long ago, however, insurers were allowed to treat sexual assault, domestic violence, postpartum depression, pregnancy and Caesarean sections as preexisting conditions, and as a result would charge women who had experienced them much higher rates or deny them coverage entirely. The state’s new plan could again make this a reality for too many women in Idaho. Will these proposed plans enable insurers to again penalize these “conditions” so often experienced by women?

We encourage all Idahoans who may consider purchasing one of these state-based plans to read the fine print — carefully examine the plan benefits and coverage before you buy it. Will the plan provide adequate coverage for you and your family if you face an unexpected illness or accident? Will you face higher rates under these plans because of your own health conditions?

The American Association of University Women of Idaho believes that all Idahoans should be able to receive high-quality, affordable and accessible health care. AAUW Idaho members and the AAUW Idaho Statehouse Lobby Corps have been and will continue to be involved in advocating for policies that improve the lives of women and families across Idaho. Conversely, we will vigorously oppose policies that may negatively impact them. The proposed state plans would eradicate years of progress in expanding health care access for women. Coverage for pre-existing conditions and birth control, well-woman visits and the end of discrimination in health care are all at stake. This is unacceptable.

Julie Custer and Kathy Scott,

AAUW Idaho Co-presidents