"Starting in 2014, the law bars insurance practices such as charging women higher premiums than men, or denying coverage for pre-existing conditions that could include pregnancy, a Caesarean-section birth or a sexual or a domestic violence assault. Even excluding maternity coverage, [a recent study] found that nearly one-third of the most commonly sold insurance plans charged women aged 25 to 40 at least 30 percent more than men for the same coverage.... While about 14 states have already barred insurers from charging women more, such restrictions will be universal in 2014 if the law stands."  MORE >>