October 4, 2011

During October, Senator Reid is aiming to raise awareness of domestic violence during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Reid is currently working to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), of which he was an original co-sponsor. VAWA has been an invaluable tool in fighting domestic violence. Senator Reid's efforts are focused on ensuring that Nevada's women and their children who are victims of violence have the support and resources they need.

Under the health insurance law passed last year, insurance companies may no longer deny coverage to children with pre-exisiting conditions. Shockingly, some insurance companies considered domestic violence a pre-existing condition and denied health care coverage to victims. But thanks to the new law, this practice is illegal.

The new law also stipulates that insurance companies must provide preventive services to women starting in August 2012. This means that women will have access to domestic violence screening and counseling without paying a co-pay.