BANGOR — Democratic congressional nominee John Baldacci on Thursday called for measures to ensure health care reform doesn’t exclude women.

The lack of equal medical research, the candidate claimed, is a “subtle form of sexual discrimination that has silently been affecting the lives — and deaths — of millions of women across this country.”

Although recent years have seen gains in funding equity, he said, much work remains to be done.

For example, he said, women represent the fastest-growing group of AIDS patients, yet there is little research being conducted on how the disease affects women. Also, the death rate from breast cancer grew by 24 percent between 1979 and 1986, yet researchers have yet to find a cause.

If elected, the 2nd District hopeful said, he would support legislation that would designate obstetricians and gynecologists as primary health care providers for women. In addition, Baldacci urged the Congress to include provisions for preventive and primary care in its health care reform package.

“Much of the health care debate surrounding women is intrinsically tied to economics and demographics, especially when it concerns older women and health care security,” Baldacci said during a press conference held at the Mabel Wadsworth Women’s Health Center.

Because women live an average of seven years longer than men, nearly 80 percent of elderly Americans who live alone are women. Many of these poor elderly and so-called working poor women often seek medical attention at women’s clinics only after years of neglecting their condition, Baldacci said.

“For many of these women, the choices are often between feeding and clothing their children and attending to their own health care needs,” he said.

“As is the case with most mothers, the choice is easy — the children come first. These women often use emergency rooms for their primary health care concerns because they know they will not be turned away.”