The Family Violence Prevention Fund (www.endabuse.org) is reporting the favorable impact of the recently passed health reform law on domestic violence. Prior to the passage of the law, health insurers (in eight states plus the District of Columbia) could deny coverage to victims of domestic violence because they deem their abuse to be a preexisting condition. Per FVPF President Esta Soler: "We've fought for many years at the state and federal levels for laws that outlaw discrimination on the basis of domestic and sexual violence. We are delighted that lawmakers have now addressed insurance discrimination against victims of domestic violence."
The new law also includes funding for the expansion of home visitation programs that provide health care and social supports to pregnant women and new mothers. These programs have demonstrated great success in reducing the incidence of child abuse. Additionally, the new law also establishes grants for organizations to provide intervention and supportive services, including housing, vocation counseling and group counseling for pregnant women and teens who are victims.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that women experience two million injuries from intimate partner violence each year.
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