Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) have asked the United States Olympic Committee (“USOC”) to respond to what the senators characterized as “the alarming reports of discrimination against female athletes during pregnancy and early maternity.”
The senators noted that, according to a recent op-ed video in The New York Times by Olympic runner Alysia Montaño, the USOC terminated health insurance coverage for pregnant athletes because they temporarily were unable to compete at the top of their sport.
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,” the Senators wrote in a letter to Sarah Hirshland, the chief executive officer of the USOC.
Learn more: Senators' letter to USOC.
Victoria Spears
Victoria Prussen Spears is senior vice president of Meyerowitz Communications Inc., a law firm marketing communications consulting company. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and Brooklyn Law School, Ms. Spears was an attorney at a leading New York City law firm before joining Meyerowitz Communications. She may be contacted at [email protected].