Here are some of the incredibly important protections and opportunities the Affordable Care Act offers women.

• Being a woman is no longer a “pre-existing condition.” Yes, women were denied coverage for just being women before the Affordable Care Act was law.
• Insurance companies can’t charge you more for being a woman either. Before the Affordable Care Act was law, women were sometimes charged up to 150% more than men of the same age.
• Breast cancer screenings, cervical cancer screenings, domestic violence counseling and screenings and a whole bunch of other preventive care measures must be covered by insurance companies.
• Birth control is now covered by health insurance.
• Children can stay on their parents’ health insurance until they’re 26 years old. And if you want to have kids, the law will help you get pre-natal care and counseling and help with breast feeding and supplies too.

And here are some of the important benefits for everyone.

• Insurance companies can’t take away your coverage if you become too sick.
• You cannot be denied insurance coverage because of a pre-existing condition.
• Seniors receive a 50 percent discount on prescription drugs when they hit the “donut hole.”
• Small businesses get tax credits to purchase insurance.
• There are no more lifetime limits on your coverage.
• 15 million more people will receive coverage because of expanded access to Medicaid.
• Millions of Americans are going to receive tax credits to help them get insurance—people who wouldn’t be able to afford it otherwise.
• 12 million seniors are currently receiving free preventative care through Medicare.