READING, PA — The Shapiro Administration has launched a new initiative to improve women’s health care access and awareness in Pennsylvania. The effort, timed to coincide with Women’s Health Month, includes a statewide survey designed to identify challenges women face when navigating health insurance benefits and to highlight the availability of free preventive services.
“It’s important that every woman in Pennsylvania understands their health insurance coverage and is able to access the care they need without unnecessary barriers,” said Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys. “We want to better understand the barriers to care so we can help ensure women take full advantage of the services they’ve paid their insurers to cover.”
The survey, which runs until July 7, is available online in English, Spanish, and Chinese. It focuses on preventive services such as regular screenings, pregnancy care, and essential health check-ups. The findings aim to shape policies and improve communication about health benefits available to women across the state.
During the announcement, state officials underscored the importance of preventive health. According to Tara Trego, Director of the Department of Health’s Bureau of Family Health, “Preventive health services play an important role in reducing the impact of disease on women in Pennsylvania.” She also highlighted the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, which provides free cancer screenings to uninsured or underinsured women.
Services covered under the program include mammograms, MRIs, Pap tests, HPV tests, and follow-up screenings. Patient navigators assist with scheduling and overcoming barriers to receiving care.
Additionally, under the Affordable Care Act, insurers must cover preventive services without out-of-pocket costs. Such services include well-woman visits, cancer screenings, counseling for domestic violence, and prenatal tests, among others.
The Department of Human Services (DHS) emphasized its role in supporting families, particularly through Medicaid, which covers approximately one-third of births in Pennsylvania. DHS Deputy Secretary Sally Kozak noted, “DHS is here when you need us, whether you are planning to give birth, you are about to give birth, or you have recently given birth. We know that those first weeks and months with your child are a beautiful, transformative time, but they can also be physically and mentally difficult and, at times, overwhelming. So maintaining access to health care is critical to help give parents peace of mind so they can care for themselves and be there for their babies.”
DHS recently expanded Medicaid postpartum coverage to one year and added access to doulas. Additionally, the department manages the Women’s Health Services Program, providing prenatal and postpartum care, early condition detection, and other critical health resources statewide.
Substance use disorder treatment for women also remains a priority. “The Shapiro Administration is working every day to ensure that women receive comprehensive, accessible, equitable, and quality health care,” said Kelly Primus, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. “Specifically, DDAP understands the impact of substance use disorders on pregnant and postpartum women and invests in programs that are designed to make sure this priority population not only survives before, during, and after a pregnancy – but thrives.”
Residents seeking substance use treatment can access the Get Help Now hotline by calling 1-800-662-HELP or use the online Treatment Atlas tool.
This broad initiative highlights Pennsylvania’s commitment to improving women’s health care access and addressing disparities through data-driven strategies and strengthened support systems.
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