Women worry most about rising health care costs

Election-year priorities for working women are clear: affordable health care, retirement security and earning enough to keep up with the cost of living.

Their concerns come as they are working harder, longer hours and shouldering more financial responsibilities at home, according to the recent AFL-CIO “Ask a Working Woman” survey, to which 22,000 women responded.

“Women are carrying full loads at work, putting in long days, sometimes at irregular hours, and sacrificing time with their families just to make ends meet,” said UAW Secretary-Treasurer Elizabeth Bunn, who directs the union’s Women’s Department.

Among survey results:

• 97 percent of women worry about the rising costs of quality health care.

• 65 percent rank health care as their top legislative concern.

• 38 percent make all or almost all of their family income, and 75 percent say they make half or more than half.

• 33 percent work evenings, nights and weekends.

Sandra Davis