(AP) -- The health insurance industry has offered to end its practice of charging higher premiums to women.

It was the latest concession offered by health insurers as works to overhaul the nation's $2.5 trillion .

The health insurance industry is trying to head off creation of a government insurance plan that would compete with them, something many Democrats favor.

Women are now often charged more than men in the individual market, but officials from America's Plans say that should not be done any longer if all Americans are required to get coverage.

The proposal came as the Senate Finance Committee convened a round-table on covering the uninsured. The industry has previously offered to stop charging more to sick people.

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