In recognition of Women’s Equality Day, on August 26, the President’s Council on Women and Girls hosted a conference call for women across the country to discuss the impact of health reform on American women.

On the call, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius addressed the inadequacies in women’s health care and the discriminatory practices that exist in our current system, which make health care more expensive and less accessible for women. She called on all women to mobilize together to ensure that health reform happens this fall.

Given that 90 percent of the direct-care workforce is female, discrimination against women in the health care system hurts America’s caregivers and those they care for.

“Our country’s long-term care system is sustained by millions of women, both paid caregivers and family caregivers, who provide vital support to elders and those living with disabilities,” said Carol Regan, director of PHI’s Health Care for Health Care Campaign.

“Not only are the vast majority of caregivers women, but 65 percent of consumers receiving care are women. Our health care system must address women’s needs for affordable, comprehensive, quality care.”

To learn more, see our publication Women Caring for Women: Coverage is Critical to Care (pdf).