Susan Davis: “I can remember when women couldn't get credit cards in their own names, when drug companies didn't run tests on women…”

“I can remember when women couldn't get credit cards in their own names, when drug companies didn't run tests on women, and when women were told that secretarial school was about the only career option they had. Even as recently as a year ago, women didn't have the same fair-pay rights and protections in the workplace as men have until this Congress voted to change that. It takes women speaking up to make unfair and discriminatory practices like those a thing of the past, which is why we must speak up for this health care bill. I would ask opponents of this reform to think of a woman in their life--whether it's a mother, a grandmother, a sister, an aunt, a daughter, or even a friend--think about her and ask yourself, is it right that insurance companies can deny her coverage based on gender? Is it right that insurance companies charge her more because she's a woman? Should women be turned away by insurance companies for such preexisting conditions as pregnancy, giving birth by C-section, or being the victim of domestic abuse? Should 80 percent of mothers in my State of California not be offered maternity coverage in the individual market? Should women who often rely on a spouse's insurance because they are taking care of children be more vulnerable if they are divorced or widowed? If you don't think these things are right, then you should support this bill.”