Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius spoke today at the National Partnership for Women and Families luncheon. The Secretary is only the fourth woman to lead the department.

She provided an update on the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), noting that it is the best woman’s health care bill since Medicare because it gives women more control over their health care. The Secretary stated that the law brings fairness into the marketplace because it prohibits insurance companies from charging women more for insurance than men. She applauded that being a woman is no longer a pre-existing condition. Secretary Sebelius highlighted that ACA limits co-payments for key preventive services. She explained the importance of this provision by noting that early detection of breast cancer yields a 98 percent survival rate.

The Secretary touted President Obama’s Patient Bill of Rights, which reiterates that beginning this fall, insurance companies cannot deny coverage for children who were born with or develop pre-existing conditions, prohibits recessions beginning in September, phases out the annual and lifetime limits, and protects patients’ choice of doctors.

Secretary Sebelius explained that ACA is important for older women, who live longer than men and tend to depend on Medicare in larger numbers. The law will reduce fraud and abuse and close the donut hole.

She stated that health information technology (HIT) is an underpinning of care coordination and management of chronic conditions. The Secretary applauded the President’s investment in HIT that was included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

She concluded that the Affordable Care Act moves toward building a system where women receive the security, flexibility, and quality care that they deserve.