10 Reasons Why Black Women Should Enroll in Obamacare

Ladies, meeting that March 31 deadline is important!

Affordable Care Act - Strips millions of Americans and their families of the private marketplace health plans and the expanded Medicaid coverage they have obtained due to the Affordable Care Act.  (Photo: LWA/Getty Images)

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Enroll Now - Not really convinced that Obamacare makes a difference in your everyday health? Think again. Here are 10 reasons why the Affordable Care Act is great for Black women’s health and why meeting that March 31 deadline is important! By Kellee Terrell (Photo: LWA/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: LWA/Getty Images

Birth Control Is Included - Did you know that under Obamacare, name brand and generic birth control and other forms of hormonal contraception like the patch and IUDs are covered under these insurance plans? That means no more co-pay. (Photo: GettyImages)  

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Birth Control Is Included - Did you know that under Obamacare, name brand and generic birth control and other forms of hormonal contraception like the patch and IUDs are covered under these insurance plans? That means no more co-pay. (Photo: GettyImages)  

Photo By GettyImages

Hyperplasia - This is when the cells lining the ducts or lobules in the breasts grow too fast. It doesn’t typically cause a lump, but it can be seen on a mammogram and diagnosed via biopsy.  Link to cancer risk: Mild hyperplasia doesn’t impact cancer risk. But moderate hyperplasia comes with a 1.5 to 2 times increase of risk, and atypical hyperplasia multiplies risk by 3.5 to 5 times. (Photo: Thomas Barwick/Getty Images)

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Preventive Care Matters - Instead of waiting until you get sick to see a doctor, preventive care and screenings for diabetes, heart disease, HPV, domestic violence and prenatal care to name a few are all a priority under the new Obamacare plan. (Photo: Thomas Barwick/Getty Images)

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Breastfeeding Made Easier - For new moms, especially working moms, breastfeeding is made easier because you now can receive classes and materials. The law has specific requirements, including coverage for breast pumps and consultants to help breast-feeding mothers. (Photo: GettyImages) 

STD/HIV Counseling and Testing - With health care reform, HIV/STD counseling and testing are now included in our annual exams. Also, use this time with your doc to talk about safer sex and better ways to talk to new partners about condom use. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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STD/HIV Counseling and Testing - With health care reform, HIV/STD counseling and testing are now included in our annual exams. Also, use this time with your doc to talk about safer sex and better ways to talk to new partners about condom use. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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You Don’t Have to Pay More Than Men - Before Obamacare, too many insurance companies would make women pay more than men for almost identical insurance plans. Good news: Starting this year that gender-based bias is a wrap. (Photo: GettyImages)

No More Referrals to See Your Gyno - Before many of us women needed a referral from a primary doc to see a gynecologist, which could mean two different co-pays and two different appointments, but not anymore. This saves us time and money and gives us more control over our health care. (Photo: GettyImages)

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No More Referrals to See Your Gyno - Before many of us women needed a referral from a primary doc to see a gynecologist, which could mean two different co-pays and two different appointments, but not anymore. This saves us time and money and gives us more control over our health care. (Photo: GettyImages)

Seniors and Medicare - Seniors will see the end of the Medicare guarantee, including the 23 percent of Medicare enrollees who are people of color. Seniors would be forced to pay more for preventive services and prescription drugs under the Ryan budget. (Photo: JGI/Tom Grill/Getty Images)

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Goodbye Pre-Existing Conditions - Before Obamacare, health insurance companies could deny women coverage, limit benefits and charge higher prices if a woman had a "pre-existing condition" like breast cancer, asthma or diabetes (in which case you’re considered a health risk). That's old news. Thanks, Obama! (Photo: JGI/Tom Grill/Getty Images)

Because It Works - Since 2010, more than 500,000 Blacks have gotten health coverage and more than half of that number consists of Black women. Plus, 60 percent of Americans are eligible for plans that are $100 or less. (Photo: Getty Images)

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Because It Works - Since 2010, more than 500,000 Blacks have gotten health coverage and more than half of that number consists of Black women. Plus, 60 percent of Americans are eligible for plans that are $100 or less. (Photo: Getty Images)

Nov. 27, 2014 - Online enrollment for small businesses to buy insurance for employees in the federal marketplace delayed until November 2014. (Photo: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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Peace of Mind - When you don’t have health care, you live in constant fear that if something were to happen you are screwed. Enrolling in Obamacare lessens that anxiety and gives you the peace of mind that if something does happen you will be OK. (Photo: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Uninsured and Unaware - As the White House prepares to implement additional provisions in the Affordable Care Act, 81 percent of Americans say they know about the individual mandate.  But among those who are currently uninsured, a Gallup survey released July 2 shows, 43 percent said they were unaware that they must have coverage by Jan. 1. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

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Reducing Our Racial Health Disparities - Black women are more prone to being diagnosed with a range of diseases and dying early from them. One way to help improve our health is by having access to quality care and getting screened early. All of which we need health care to do. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)