Markey, Blumenthal, Baldwin Ask Olympic Committee to Explain Why Pregnant Athletes’ Health Insurance Coverage Was Dropped

WASHINGTON, June 5 -- Sen. Edward J. Markey, D-Massachusetts, issued the following news release:

Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) today called on the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) to answer to the alarming reports of discrimination against female athletes during pregnancy and early maternity. According to a recent op-ed video in the New York Times by Olympic runner Alysia Montano, the USOC terminated health insurance coverage for pregnant athletes, because they are temporarily unable to compete at the top of their sport.

The price tag on an uninsured labor and delivery in the United States is anywhere from $30,000 to $50,000 and finding replacement insurance coverage places significant economic stress on amateur athletes. In their letter, Senators Markey, Blumenthal, and Baldwin requested a briefing from the USOC on its policy towards pregnant female Olympic athletes.

"This discontinuation of health care coverage when a female athlete needs it most is unconscionable and may put at risk her health and that of her child," write the Senators in a letter to the CEO of USOC.

A copy of the letter to the United States Olympic Committee can be found HERE (https://www.markey.senate.gov/download/usoc-health-insurance-2019).