SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada on Tuesday (D-Davis) introduced AB 1553, which would protect all women by prohibiting long-term care insurance (LTCI) providers from charging women higher premium rates than men for the same coverage.

 “Gender discrimination has broad public policy implications,” Yamada said. “Women earn less than men in their lifetime and accumulate less wealth, so charging women more for the same policies is neither a fair nor effective solution to covering the industry’s costs. Pricing based on life expectancy sets an extremely dangerous precedent.”

Because women generally live longer than men, they depend on LTCI benefits more and often reduce men’s dependence on LTCI by serving as their caregivers.

According to the American Association of Long-Term Care Insurance, almost 70 percent of women age 75 or older are widowed, divorced, or never married, leaving them less likely to have spouses to provide care for them and more likely to reside in assisted living and nursing facilities. Currently in California, 2 out of 3 nursing home residents are women.

Long-term care insurance reimburses policyholders for long-term services and supports, including personal and custodial care, in a variety of settings such as in the home or at a skilled nursing facility.

The Affordable Care Act prohibits insurers from charging women higher premiums for health insurance policies, but LTCI in California is classified as disability insurance, so it is not bound by that law.

“Women have always had a hard time figuring out how to pay for long-term care insurance from their lower incomes and resources. Gender discrimination will force even more women out of the market, shifting the cost of their care to their families and the state's Medicaid program,” said Bonnie Burns with California Health Advocates.

Without AB 1553, rates for women could rise as much as 40%. Montana and Colorado have already acted to prohibit gender based pricing for LTCI.

AB 1553 is co-authored by Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, Assemblymember Cheryl Brown and Assemblymember Susan Talamantes Eggman and is expected to be referred to the Assembly Insurance Committee in February.