Women’s Foundation Gives California ‘D’ on Women’s Health Status

California gets a "D" grade on the health status of women and girls in the state, according to a report released yesterday by the San Francisco-based Women's Foundation. Titled "Nearly a Failing Grade: A Report Card on the Health Status of Women and Girls in California," the report assessed state performance in four areas: basic health status, access to coverage and care, women's health and the environment and the state's policy framework for women's health ("Nearly a Failing Grade: A Report Card on the Health Status of Women and Girls in California," January 2001). While the report "commend[ed]" the state's policies on family and medical leave and coverage for low-income children, it found that women "may not know" if they qualify for public coverage, exactly what services are covered or how to apply for coverage. Women's Foundation CEO Patricia Chang said, "Despite a plethora of policies that have been put into place, the health care coverage for women and girls is mostly inadequate in the state of California. For the richest state in the country, we're not living up to our potential" (Yamanouchi, AP/Sacramento Bee, 1/31). The report notes that nearly 20% of California women are uninsured, compared with a national average of 14%. Furthermore, 37% of women ages 19-24 are uninsured, and 35% of Latinas, 25% of African-American women and 28% of Asian/Pacific Islander women are uninsured. State Sen. Deborah Ortiz (D-Sacramento) said, "This report card highlights the importance of simplifying our health insurance programs and increasing access to health care for all Californians" (Hendry, Reuters Health, 1/30).

According to the report, the foundation has "come to believe that the state has the fiscal resources and political party alliances needed for a better system," but a "lack of leadership and political will" has left the state with "systems full of gaps that threaten the health of Californians and threaten the lives of future generations" ("Nearly a Failing Grade: A Report Card on the Health Status of Women and Girls in California," January 2001). The report calls on the Office of Women's Health in the Department of Health Services to finance "annual health reports that allow for county, state and national health status comparisons to be made by gender, race and ethnicity ... and other indicators" (Reuters Health, 1/30). In addition, the report recommends a study of universal coverage, expansion of Healthy Families, increased coverage for low-income unemployed and working adults and reducing environmental and safety hazards in the work place. But DHS spokesperson Ken August said that "the report leaves out too much information to be accurate," including reproductive health and family planning services, which are "strong" in California. In addition, August suggested that "any evaluation of health status should consider mortality rates," as the mortality rate for California women decreased by 11% between 1990 and 1998 (AP/Sacramento Bee, 1/31). For a copy of the report card, go to http://www.twfusa.org/Docs/report_card.pdf. Note: You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download the report card.