Ladies, Let's Change Tomorrow

Ed. note: This was originally published on the womenshealth.gov blog.

Today, we'll change tomorrow. –The United State of Women Summit

That's right. With what we choose to do today — whether it's standing by our game-changing ideas or using our voices to stand up for our communities — we are helping build a healthier and happier generation of women and girls. As women, I believe it's our responsibility to stand together and build on what those before us have done so that we can continue to make strides toward improving the well-being of women and girls.

At the United State of Women Summit, convened by the White House, 5,000 people from across the country and around the world will spend two days (June 14 and 15) reflecting on the incredible things done by and for women and girls over the past few years, as well as discuss the steps we still need to take to improve their lives. The Summit will focus on six topics including health and wellness, violence against women, economics, entrepreneurship, education, and leadership. While day one of the Summit is by invitation only, key parts of the Summit can be accessed via webcast at www.theunitedstateofwomen.org. On day two, many federal agencies will host events that go into depth on some of the specific issue areas, including one here at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), entitled United State of Women: Healthy Women, Healthy Families. I am thrilled to be kicking off the HHS session, which will be focused on the positive impact the Affordable Care Act has had on women's and girls' health. You may view the live webcast at hhs.gov/live.

The Affordable Care Act is truly the best thing to happen for women's health since the enactment of Medicare and Medicaid. The health care law has expanded coverage, made coverage more affordable, and increased the quality of coverage for women and all Americans. Need some examples?

• Being a woman is no longer considered a pre-existing condition, so women can't be charged more for health insurance coverage just because they're women.
• Between 2010 and 2015, the uninsured rate among women 18 to 64 decreased from 19.3% to 10.8%, a relative reduction of 44%.
• Because of the Affordable Care Act, an estimated 55.6 million women are benefiting from coverage of recommended preventive services with no out-of-pocket costs.

Talk about progress! The Affordable Care Act has helped us reach a turning point in women's health, and the Summit is designed to acknowledge that. I hope you'll join us as we celebrate this exciting time. Here's how you can participate:

• Take the United State of Women pledge. We're stronger together, so pledge to do your part today.
• View the live webcast at hhs.gov/live.
• Get involved. Find an event in your area.
• Share photos and videos and follow the conversation on your social media networks using both official hashtags: #HHSStateOfWomen and #StateOfWomen.

You can also watch the United State of Women video message to hear some of the most influential women talk about working together to help all women succeed.

Dr. Nancy C. Lee is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health and Women's Health and Director at the Office on Women's Health