DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement today on the new report from the National Women’s Law Center which shows that in states across the country, women continue to pay more than men for health insurance—an unfair gender gap that will continue until the part of President Obama’s health reform law that bans this practice goes into effect in 2014:

“The news that in states across the country, including my home state of Florida, women continue to pay more than men for the same health insurance is further proof that President Obama’s health reform law is so important. Right now, women pay up to 50% more than men for the very same health coverage. Even if a woman’s policy does not cover maternity care, she can still be charged more because the insurance company fears it will be on the hook for complications from a pregnancy. When the part of the law that bans this practice goes into effect in 2014, being a woman will no longer be considered a pre-existing condition. That’s good news for women and their families, and will make it easier for women to get basic health care services they need.

“But we know that if Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, or Rick Santorum get their way this discriminatory practice will continue. They have all said they want to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and with it all the protections it puts in place, like prohibiting insurance companies from denying coverage because of pre-existing conditions and the preventative care to which it makes sure women have access, like cancer screenings. That’s why this election is so important, and it’s why we need to reelect President Obama to a second term.”

DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement on Andrea Mitchell’s announcement that she was diagnosed with breast cancer:

"It is with a heavy heart that I learned that my dear personal friend, fearless foreign affairs correspondent and news anchor Andrea Mitchell, was diagnosed with breast cancer. In bravely coping with this diagnosis, Andrea becomes a member of the club that none of us ever wanted to join—the club that tragically adds 1 in 8 women in our country today.

"Thankfully, like me, Andrea discovered her cancer early. As a breast cancer survivor, I understand intimately how important it is that women have every possible cancer-fighting tool at their disposal.

"Andrea has been an unwavering advocate for breast cancer awareness, prevention, and treatment throughout her career. It has been a joy and honor to join her in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and the annual Congressional Women's Softball Game, which benefits the Young Survival Coalition. I am so sorry that her longstanding support for these causes has now become a personal battle as well.

"Our nation has been a leader in discovering innovative methods of detection and treatment. A cancer diagnosis is no longer the death sentence it used to be, and the statistics are only getting better. But our health care system is still rife with disparities—especially in knowledge and access—that prevent these advances from reaching everyone.

"Andrea, you are an invaluable friend, colleague, and now sister in survival. Thank you for the incredible work that you do. Your legions of loyal viewers I am sure join me in praying for your quick and easy recovery and renewal of your good health."