Recently, a report was released by specific health insurance companies and insurance brokers stating that women pay much more for health insurance coverage than do men. The New York Times reports that the difference was shocking.
The most obvious factor as to why women's health care may cost more has to do with maternity care. Costs associated with giving birth are usually in the thousands of dollars- which is not appealing to insurers. Another reason could be that women pay more attention to their health, having more frequent doctor visits than males.
"[W]omen tend to be higher utilizers of health care than men. I am more conscious of my health than my husband, who will avoid going to the doctor at all costs," states an insurance actuary, Elizabeth J. Leif.
So there is hard evidence why a woman might pay more for health insurance than a man. But is it justified? In the Times article there was a great philosophical argument against such a disparity.
"Only women can bear children. There's an expense to that. But having babies benefits communities and society as a whole. Women should not have to bear the entire expense," pointed out Mila Kofman, an insurance superintendent who advocates for equal rates. - 15224
The most obvious factor as to why women's health care may cost more has to do with maternity care. Costs associated with giving birth are usually in the thousands of dollars- which is not appealing to insurers. Another reason could be that women pay more attention to their health, having more frequent doctor visits than males.
"[W]omen tend to be higher utilizers of health care than men. I am more conscious of my health than my husband, who will avoid going to the doctor at all costs," states an insurance actuary, Elizabeth J. Leif.
So there is hard evidence why a woman might pay more for health insurance than a man. But is it justified? In the Times article there was a great philosophical argument against such a disparity.
"Only women can bear children. There's an expense to that. But having babies benefits communities and society as a whole. Women should not have to bear the entire expense," pointed out Mila Kofman, an insurance superintendent who advocates for equal rates. - 15224
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