First Lady

Michelle: Women "Crushed" by Health Care

Says mothers and families need reform most.

Is Michelle Obama pulling a Hillary? The first lady stepped into the health-care debate on Friday with a speech that called the health-care status quo as “unacceptable.” But unlike Hillary, Michelle stayed away from the nitty-gritty policy details, focusing instead on a distinctly feminine—and maternal—take on health-care reform: Women are “crushed by the current structure of our health care” when they are tasked with managing their families’ health, prescriptions, follow-up care, and doctor appointments. “Mothers are the ones that do it. And many women find themselves doing the same thing for their spouses.” She pointed out that women are more likely to work only part-time or at a small business that can’t provide health coverage, leaving their insurance options disproportionately stifled.