Healthcare in the United States is a complex and often controversial topic, with many systemic disparities affecting different populations. Among the most glaring inequities is the gender gap in healthcare—where women, despite making up more than half of the population, face significant barriers to accessing quality medical care. From reproductive health restrictions to higher insurance costs, and from gender bias in medical research to racial and socioeconomic disparities, the challenges are widespread and deeply entrenched. The attorneys in Anapol Weiss's Women's Health Litigation team are dedicated to achieving justice for women who have been victimized by dangerous medications and defective healthcare products.
The Cost of Being a Woman in the Healthcare System
Women, on average, pay more for healthcare than men. A study by the National Women’s Law Center found that women historically paid higher insurance premiums than men before the Affordable Care Act (ACA) prohibited gender-based pricing. Despite this progress, women still face higher out-of-pocket costs due to the need for reproductive healthcare, maternity services, and longer life expectancy leading to increased medical care in old age.
Furthermore, access to affordable contraception, abortion services, and maternity care remains uneven across states. Many states have imposed restrictive abortion laws, making it difficult for women—especially low-income and minority women—to access necessary reproductive healthcare. Additionally, Medicaid, which covers nearly half of all births in the U.S., often has limited postpartum care, leaving many new mothers without essential medical support.
Medical Research and Gender Bias
Historically, medical research has largely centered on male subjects, leading to gaps in understanding women’s health conditions. Many clinical trials have failed to include enough female participants, making it difficult to accurately assess how certain treatments and medications affect women. This oversight has serious consequences, as women are more likely to experience adverse drug reactions and misdiagnoses due to the lack of sex-specific research.
Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities in Women’s Healthcare
Racial and economic disparities further compound the challenges women face in accessing healthcare. Black women, for instance, are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. This is due in part to systemic racism in healthcare, as Black women’s pain and symptoms are more likely to be dismissed by medical professionals.
Low-income women also suffer disproportionately from gaps in healthcare access. While the ACA expanded Medicaid, many states have refused to expand coverage, leaving millions of low-income women without insurance. Even those who qualify for Medicaid often struggle to find providers who accept it due to low reimbursement rates.
The disparity in women’s healthcare is a crisis that demands immediate action. By advocating for systemic change, increasing awareness, and holding policymakers accountable, we can work toward a healthcare system that truly serves all women—equally and fairly.
