Contrary to some commonly held beliefs, men, more than women will likely benefit more from expanded healthcare coverage.   According to the Institute for Women's Policy Research June 2010 Fact Sheet,  men represent a majority of non-elderly US adults who lack health insurance across all age groups but particularly ages 18-34.    Under age 18, boys and girls with health insurance have nearly the same coverage with many insured under public plans.   The jump begins when students leave their parents' plan at either high school or college graduation.  This will definitely improve when the Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) becomes effective on September 23, 2010 and raises the age a young adult can stay on their parents' plans.

One of the reasons young women have better coverage is the fact that they have access to healthcare through Medicaid which has traditionally provided a safety net for family planning and pregnancy coverage for those with low or no income.

As we age, and reach 55 years and older, this difference is less between men and women.   Medicare coverage that generally begins at age 65 is universal and fewer than 2 % of men or women lack health insurance once they reach this age group.

If you are interested in reading more about insurance differences between the sexes, visit the IWPR site

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In an age which is too complex, have health insurance seems increasingly important given the cost of care and treatment of disease the more expensive and unpredictable. Health insurance is very important and necessary.

These are very interesting statistics. There are many provisions in the new health care bill that I didn't like, in particular the part that protect the best interest of the insurance industry as a whole. But, it is a step ahead of what we had in the past.

I found this an interesting statistic: 'Under age 18, boys and girls with health insurance have nearly the same coverage with many insured under public plans.' What are your thoughts on it?

As of 1997 men had on the average a life expectancy of 73.6 versus 79.4 for women. If we're trying to close the gap I hope what you say in your article is true.

What is disturbing though, is the amount of Medicare cuts that will be made to the 65 and above age group. We will be entering a new era when baby boomers reach "geriatric age" and require more and more Medicare services. Both men and women in this age population will feel the squeeze as reimbursement to providers continue to deminsh year after year.

I agree with you and with medicare people over 65 have better access to healthcare and save more.