Insured American women are more likely to go without needed healthcare because of the cost and difficulty paying medical bills.

“We are on the cusp of a remarkable feat: providing comprehensive, affordable health insurance to almost all American women,” Karen Davis, president of the Commonwealth Fund, explained. “It is crucial that state and federal policy makers and other key stakeholders actively work together to implement the reform law and take full advantage of all the benefits the Affordable Care Act offers so that all American families are able to benefit from the law’s potential.”

Women of childbearing age are at particular risk and often cannot afford the high out of pocket cost of health care even when they are insured.

Lower wages, higher premiums and time away from work to raise families puts women at unique risk in comparison to men.