the consequence of gestational diabetes are real. not only are there significant health effects for the mother and baby during pregnancy, but researchers have found that both the mother and baby may be at risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in life. by getting screened, both the mother and the child can be alerted to potential long-term health risks. i want to tell the story of one of my constituents, meg hahn, from penecook, new hampshire, because she's a great example of why this screening is so important. during her 28th week of pregnancy, meg hahn was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. the screening that she had alerted her to the potential related health issues, and they allowed her to get the necessary treatment. i'm happy to record that megan gave berth to a healthy baby girl, grace, she is now eight weeks old. and under the affordable care act, all pregnant women will now be able to receive the gestational diabetes screening for free. tomorrow also marks an important milestone in women's health for another preventive s

whether it is the kind of testing to try to detect gestational diabetes. whether it is the availability of all forms of f.d.a. approved contraceptions so women no longer have to avoid because of the cost the safest and most effective means of contraception. whether it means a well woman visit so that the maternity coverage and follow-up is available for women. these kinds of services are lifesaving. they are recognition of the fact that as has been said, women do have to take care of their health and often are, because of the cost, the first ones to put their health care last as they take care of others. so as each new plan turns over, and women across this country and their families can really let out a sigh of relief that they will get access to this coverage once and for all, we have a lot to be thankful for, but we know that it didn't come without effort, without fight, without leadership, without determination, and we have to continue all of those efforts to keep this progress in place. one of the things on the banner is a #, her health. and i know th

news it is mental health counseling and all of the preventive health service screenings for gestational diabetes to release obesity to the diseases with late if you know what i mean with cancer. all related directly and indirectly related to obesity. doctors don't do a good job at relating and making it sure that we understand that instant relationship. so that's why i am pleased to work with a lot of the medical profession groups sweetened help them understand some of the cultural dynamics as was some of the gender specific issues with maintaining a certain lifestyle and putting healthy weight management. >> as mentioned earlier today on the earlier panel. the big story is the battle around it and not so much what is in it and to sort of mention that once we find out what's in it we can use at. but what our -- you mentioned a few of them that were the things in the affordable care act that could help combat obesity. is that there is a significant prevention and obesity fund which i couldn't find the numbers on my lap carry i believe it is in the range of $74 million that targeted specifically t

has mental health counseling, it has all of the preventive health service screenings were gestational diabetes. so that catches it soon and that is one of the things we try to do is to relate to obesity to the disease of weight if you know what i mean. diabetes and heart disease and cancer related directly and indirectly related to obesity. doctors don't do a good job at relating and making it sure that we understand that interrelationship. so that's why i am pleased to work with a lot of the medical professionals so that we can help them understand some of the cultural dynamics as well as some of the gender specific issues going with the black women that struggle daily in maintaining a certain lifestyle including healthy weight management. >> i'm glad you mentioned the affordable care act. it's a good story and it is actually mentioned earlier today on the panel the big story of kind of the battle around it and not so much we can use it. but you mentioned a few of them. what are some of the things in the affordable care act that could help to combat obesity? >> well, there is a significant pr

women around the country will have free access to preventative health services, including gestational diabetes screenings, preventative health visits with their doctors and f.d.a.-approved contraceptives. because of the health care law, women, not insurance companies, can now make decisions about their health care and can access the services that will keep them healthy. the health care law is also helping families in minnesota and across the country by prohibiting insurers from denying health coverage for children who have preexisting conditions. i have met children who are alive today because of this provision. and as a parent, i know the -- how grateful their parents are. parents around the country can now sleep a little easier knowing that if their child gets sick, they will still be able to get the health care coverage they need. we should be celebrating that. you know, this isn't about putting the government between you and your doctor, as i hear sometimes. this is about getting the insurance company out of the way. and making sure that children can get coverage and adults. we have seen t