domestic violence is a "pre-existing condition?"

[eelo]

Got this in my email today:

Dear MoveOn member,

Did you know that some insurance companies actually consider domestic violence a "pre-existing condition"? That is, women whose boyfriends or husbands have beaten them could actually be denied coverage for that reason.1

It's sickening. And it's just one more reason we need a public health insurance option—a health care plan that won't put profits before basic human decency.

It's not enough to pass new regulations. Like credit card companies and big banks, health insurance companies will always be looking to find a new loophole.

And while insurance companies rack up profits by denying coverage, their conservative friends in Congress are busy defending them from the competition they'd face from a public plan—and arguing we should give them another chance to clean up their act.


Can you call Sens. Warner and Webb? Tell them that you're sick of big insurance's monopoly on our health care system—and we need a real public health insurance option to hold insurance companies accountable.

Here's where to call:
Senator Mark Warner
Phone: 202-224-2023

Senator Jim Webb
Phone: 202-224-4024

Then click the link below to report your call:

http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FSVA_2...29-hSPTyZx&t=3

We've all heard the tragic stories about how health insurance companies use the "pre-existing conditions" rule to deny coverage to people suffering from chronic disease.
But extending it to domestic violence victims is simply beyond the pale—and it's perfectly legal in eight states and the District of Columbia. In fact, one survey found that 8 of the 16 largest insurers in the country have used domestic violence as a factor in denying coverage.2

These outrages won't end until we force private insurance companies to compete with a high-quality, affordable public plan that'll keep them honest.

But right now, Congress is debating proposals that would fatally weaken or delay implementation of the public health insurance option. So we've got to keep fighting—can you call Sens. Warner and Webb today?

http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FSVA_2...29-hSPTyZx&t=4

Thank you for all you do.

–Nita, Michael, Kat, Lenore, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Domestic violence is a 'pre-existing condition'?," SEIU Blog, September 11, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84439&id=1...29-hSPTyZx&t=5

2. "Rural Health Response to Domestic Violence: Policy and Practice Issues," Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, August 30, 2000
http://ruralhealth.hrsa.gov/pub/domviol.htm

Unbelieveable. "Your partner beats you, so you're an insurance risk."

[SammaJamma]

What the hell?

[mrs.s]

Originally Posted by eelo Got this in my email today: Dear MoveOn member, Did you know that some insurance companies actually consider domestic violence a "pre-existing condition"? That is, women whose boyfriends or husbands have beaten them could actually be denied coverage for that reason.1 It's sickening. And it's just one more reason we need a public health insurance option—a health care plan that won't put profits before basic human decency. It's not enough to pass new regulations. Like credit card companies and big banks, health insurance companies will always be looking to find a new loophole. And while insurance companies rack up profits by denying coverage, their conservative friends in Congress are busy defending them from the competition they'd face from a public plan—and arguing we should give them another chance to clean up their act. Can you call Sens. Warner and Webb? Tell them that you're sick of big insurance's monopoly on our health care system—and we need a real public health insurance option to hold insurance companies accountable. Here's where to call: Senator Mark Warner Phone: 202-224-2023 Senator Jim Webb Phone: 202-224-4024 Then click the link below to report your call: http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FSVA_2...29-hSPTyZx&t=3 We've all heard the tragic stories about how health insurance companies use the "pre-existing conditions" rule to deny coverage to people suffering from chronic disease. But extending it to domestic violence victims is simply beyond the pale—and it's perfectly legal in eight states and the District of Columbia. In fact, one survey found that 8 of the 16 largest insurers in the country have used domestic violence as a factor in denying coverage.2 These outrages won't end until we force private insurance companies to compete with a high-quality, affordable public plan that'll keep them honest. But right now, Congress is debating proposals that would fatally weaken or delay implementation of the public health insurance option. So we've got to keep fighting—can you call Sens. Warner and Webb today? http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FSVA_2...29-hSPTyZx&t=4 Thank you for all you do. –Nita, Michael, Kat, Lenore, and the rest of the team Sources: 1. "Domestic violence is a 'pre-existing condition'?," SEIU Blog, September 11, 2009 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84439&id=1...29-hSPTyZx&t=5 2. "Rural Health Response to Domestic Violence: Policy and Practice Issues," Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, August 30, 2000 http://ruralhealth.hrsa.gov/pub/domviol.htm Unbelieveable. "Your partner beats you, so you're an insurance risk."

Yeah, I heard about this yesterday. I couldn't even form words at first to describe how utterly disgusted I was/am. DC is one those places. I'm so dissappointed.

[nicoleclare]

wow. im utterly disgusted.

[TheBryTree]

I really honestly think I am going to be sick. That is the most disgusting and disturbing thing I have heard in a LONG time. and I often hear some pretty awful ****.

How anyone could be against a public option is beyond me. How anyone could be against it knowing THIS is just cruel. I don't care if that offends someone. No one should be denied insurance because they were abused.

[4n6chick]

Ugh. I can't even form the thoughts.

[jen1982]

I got that email too. Absolutely disgusting.

But, I also think it's disgusting to deny insurance for any reason, be it injury from abuse or an actual pre-existing condition.

[ashley5]

Which companies say that? I noticed one of the sources for the article was a blog, which isn't very credible.

If it's true-- they should just publish the names to embaras them and make them lose business!

[Geotech]

Brutal.

[kensington]

If your spouse perpetrates violence against you, and you stay... you are the insurance risk.

If you choose to keep a lifestyle with someone who beats you and sends you to the ER... yep... pre-existing condition

LEAVE and get out...

But... considering this comes from "Move-On"... go figure.