"Cadillac" Plans Tax As a Gender Issue

by: measurestaken

Sun Jan 10, 2010 at 11:27:10 AM EST
(Link and blockquote added by me. - promoted by Dean Barker)

In her column this morning, Shira S. at the Concord Monitor asks a thought-provoking question: Is the excise tax for health care plans - the so-called "Cadillac" plans tax - unfair to women? It would seem the answer is yes.

"(W)omen cost much more to insure than men because of reproductive health issues and a higher rate of certain chronic diseases. Women in split families are more likely to have custody of children and require higher-value family plans.

'For women it's a double whammy,' said Rhonda Wesolowski, president of NEA New Hampshire.

A former teacher and single mother, Wesolowski said the excise tax would unfairly penalize female workers who give up wages to get better health benefits. 'Over the years, we often didn't take raises to keep our health insurance,' she said."


Carol Shea-Porter, to no one's surprise, gets it. And I have to say that at times like this, I'm pretty happy that we have Jeanne Shaheen in the Senate because I'm sure she gets it, too.  
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