LEXINGTON, Ky. – Retired Marine Lt. Col. Amy McGrath today announced her Women’s Advisory Council, which meets weekly to discuss women’s and family issues.
“Women are still badly underrepresented in elected and appointed positions at all levels of government, and as a result, the policy issues that affect them the most often get ignored,” said McGrath. “I’m a woman and a mom myself, but women are not a monolith. I want to bring diverse perspectives to the table when talking about the issues that are most important to Kentucky women, which is why meeting with my Women’s Advisory Council has been so valuable.”
The council discusses issues such as health care, child care access, voting and increasing women’s representation in government.
Sen. Mitch McConnell, McGrath's opponent in the U.S. Senate race in Kentucky, has tried 19 times to weaken or overturn the Affordable Care Act, which includes protections for women’s health care. Prior to the ACA, women were usually charged more for coverage than men; now the law prohibits insurers from charging women higher rates than men for the same services. Prior to the ACA, health plans often did not cover prenatal care or childbirth, but now maternity care must be included as one of 10 essential health benefits. The ACA also expanded access to preventative services such as mammograms and pap smears by requiring them to be provided without co-pays and deductibles.
McGrath’s health care plan includes protecting and building upon the ACA, providing a public option and lowering prescription drug prices.
McGrath’s Supporting Our Families plan includes providing paid parental leave, ending surprise billing for health care expenses, expanding the child care tax credit, investing in universal pre-K and increasing access to affordable housing.
McGrath also rolled out a series of endorsements from Kentucky women from across the state.
Women’s Advisory Council
Dr. Kimberly Luse, Campbell County
Martha Emmons, McCracken County
Susan Wade, Fayette County
JoAnn Miller, Washington County
Linda Carroll, McCracken County
Mary Ann Johnson, Pulaski County
Laura White-Brown, Rowan County
Jackie Weathers, Hopkins County
Stephanie Wolfinbarger, Jefferson County
Kecia Copeland, Nelson County