Rape Called A "Pre-Existing Condition" By Insurance Companies

A Florida woman, who is a victim of sexual abuse, claims that rape was called a "pre-existing condition" by several health insurance companies, which would have disqualified her for care.

[patricialynn]

This pisses me off.

How dare an insurance company say that a woman is ineligible for insurance because she is a rape victim???

All this does is encourage woman to NOT report attacks, NOT receive medical care so that it is NOT on their record. This victimizes the victim a second time.

[floorboards]

insurance company's are there to make money but you would think an medical exam would clear her of any thing she may have caught

[Viktor Renquist]

This kind of vileness is the prefect proof of the *need* the US has for a government administered health care system

Or do people approve of the kind of monstrous behaviour of the insurance companies shown here?

[anon]

/agree!

[Jorge Getson]

How dare you to suggest socialism is better! Look around the world. It does not work!
No I don't approve how some insurance companies act.
But the vileness and corruption of the US Government makes the Insurance Companies look like a God send.
Those corrupt, lying Socialist bastards in DC starting at the top, "lying illegally elected Obama" should be taken out and hung for what they have done and are planning.
If you don't see through them then you deserve just what is coming.
As for me, when they show up here I'll do away with as many as I can on the way down.
Piss on Democrats and Republicans. In other words, "idiotic liberals." Both of these Party hounds are biting the hand that feeds them.
Get ready to see how it feels to have, "zero health care",no electricity and going hungry.
I won't because I've spent the last few years getting ready. I'll have food for over six years if I don't do anything. Medicine, well we have stocked up pretty well and one member of this family is a medical professional with over 30 years of practice.
Without using solar cells I have built a no moving parts solar powered refrigeration system. I freeze dry more foods each week, "yes I built that system also." I have a means of making very clean, "near sterile" water from any source. I have a little dirty creek.
After you get your Socolist Medicine and Obama becomes dictator and you are hungry, don't come by here! I have hogs, I'll feed your remains to them and then eat them

[Gaz the Necrophiliac]

I had to read that twice to make sure I hadn't made a mistake.

I simply couldn't believe what I was reading.

[Pamela in red]

Raped again only this time by the insurance company.

[Rationality on hold]

The insurance company has every right to deny coverage for a pre-existing condition if the condition still exists. Take a person who suffers from a malady because they were hit by a drunk driver… it sucks that they were hurt by someone breaking the law… but if the malady still persists when they apply for coverage it “is” a pre-existing condition.

My problem, however, with this is that the condition in question did not exist at the time of application. I this situation it would be akin to me getting a flu shot (as a preventative measure) and then being treated for underwriting purposes as if I had contracted the flu and it led to an ongoing medical problem.

[patricialynn]

This actually makes me regret having gotten therapy for the rape. It makes me even LESS likely to get approved for insurance than I was in the first place.

[Pamela in red]

patricialynn wrote:

This actually makes me regret having gotten therapy for the rape. It makes me even LESS likely to get approved for insurance than I was in the first place.

As part of the patient confidentiality laws you don't have to disclose that information or medical records.

My husband works for an insurance company and I understand some of the rules they make but this one goes too far.

[P Smith]

Jorge Getson wrote:

How dare you to suggest socialism is better!

So you "think" women who have been raped brought it on themselves and don't deserve help. You probably also support the re-thug-nicans who opposed Al Franken's amendment ("No company that requires a waiver against rape can get a government contract"). Go live in Saudi Arabia or Afghanistan if that's your opinion. Taliban, T-Alabama, what's the difference?

And like most redneck morons, you couldn't define "socialism" if you had to. I'm surprised you can read, given your wilful ignorance of the world.

[Damn]

Obama needs to get this healthcare reform passed ASAP!!

[Viktor Renquist]

Jorge Getson wrote:

How dare you to suggest socialism is better! Look around the world. It does not work!
No I don't approve how some insurance companies act.
But the vileness and corruption of the US Government makes the Insurance Companies look like a God send.
Those corrupt, lying Socialist bastards in DC starting at the top, "lying illegally elected Obama" should be taken out and hung for what they have done and are planning.
If you don't see through them then you deserve just what is coming.
As for me, when they show up here I'll do away with as many as I can on the way down.
Piss on Democrats and Republicans. In other words, "idiotic liberals." Both of these Party hounds are biting the hand that feeds them.
Get ready to see how it feels to have, "zero health care",no electricity and going hungry.
I won't because I've spent the last few years getting ready. I'll have food for over six years if I don't do anything. Medicine, well we have stocked up pretty well and one member of this family is a medical professional with over 30 years of practice.
Without using solar cells I have built a no moving parts solar powered refrigeration system. I freeze dry more foods each week, "yes I built that system also." I have a means of making very clean, "near sterile" water from any source. I have a little dirty creek.
After you get your Socolist Medicine and Obama becomes dictator and you are hungry, don't come by here! I have hogs, I'll feed your remains to them and then eat them

you are very peculiar. Germany already has a government funded and sourced health care system, very similar in format to the Australian "Medicare" system

so if I were you I would stop drivelling about health care and just accept that you WILL have socialised medicine, or if you prefer you can move to afghanistan

[Raw1]

This make you think how confidential your treatment really is. Just because I received treatment don't mean the insurance company should know what I was treated for. Such as, I see a psychologist due to being rape, don't mean my insurance company should know that I was rape. All they need to know is that I am seeing a psychologist and pay the bill. After all, if I have insurance I am paying a weekly or monthly premium and a co-payment. I don't need to be a victim by my abuser, lawyer, judges, cops, maybe friends and family, and my insurance company!

[ADH]

Viktor Renquist wrote:

<quoted text>
you are very peculiar. Germany already has a government funded and sourced health care system, very similar in format to the Australian "Medicare" system
so if I were you I would stop drivelling about health care and just accept that you WILL have socialised medicine, or if you prefer you can move to afghanistan

This is definitely a good argument for insurance reform, but not for a government takeover. If you think insurance companies are bad, wait until you try to deal with bureaucrats in government.

Moving to a European model of socialized medicine will kill the best medical system in the world.

I would suggest that anyone who wants to participate in such a plan, which is a minority of Americans, that you move to Europe.

Obama said his plans would cover everyone and bring costs down. Now we know that millions will still be left uninsured and costs will rise. So, what's the real reason for the government takeover?

[Viktor Renquist]

ADH wrote:

<quoted text>
This is definitely a good argument for insurance reform, but not for a government takeover. If you think insurance companies are bad, wait until you try to deal with bureaucrats in government.
Moving to a European model of socialized medicine will kill the best medical system in the world.

Okay, a system that leaves FORTY SEVEN MILLION without ANY health care system is the best in the world? Dude, you HAVE to cut down your hallucinogens

ADH wrote:

I would suggest that anyone who wants to participate in such a plan, which is a minority of Americans, that you move to Europe.

You obviously have NO idea of which you speak. I've lived in both the UK and here in Oz. The UK has a sole providor, free at point of provision system of health care and that covers EVERY person in the nation if they wish it. It has good and bad points ... good points include management of chronic conditions, basic A&E provisions and so forth. They tend to be weaker on conditions that express in a way that is unusual.

Oz is like Germany. It has a 2-tier system where the basic services are funded by the government and fees are capped at a reasonable level. To cover the gap between government service and all the bells and whistles you can take private insurance. It works, IMNSHO, better than the UK system overall, but is not as good at managing chronic conditions.

The presence of the government, either as sole providor or as basic fund providor is *imperative* ifg you want a system that is equitable.

If, on the other hand, you APPROVE of 47 million going without ANY healthcare, then by all means, stay in the third world

ADH wrote:

Obama said his plans would cover everyone and bring costs down. Now we know that millions will still be left uninsured and costs will rise. So, what's the real reason for the government takeover?

How about equity and fairness, as explained above

[irony]

Jorge Getson wrote:

How dare you to suggest socialism is better! Look around the world. It does not work!
No I don't approve how some insurance companies act.
But the vileness and corruption of the US Government makes the Insurance Companies look like a God send.
Those corrupt, lying Socialist bastards in DC starting at the top, "lying illegally elected Obama" should be taken out and hung for what they have done and are planning.
If you don't see through them then you deserve just what is coming.
As for me, when they show up here I'll do away with as many as I can on the way down.
Piss on Democrats and Republicans. In other words, "idiotic liberals." Both of these Party hounds are biting the hand that feeds them.
Get ready to see how it feels to have, "zero health care",no electricity and going hungry.
I won't because I've spent the last few years getting ready. I'll have food for over six years if I don't do anything. Medicine, well we have stocked up pretty well and one member of this family is a medical professional with over 30 years of practice.
Without using solar cells I have built a no moving parts solar powered refrigeration system. I freeze dry more foods each week, "yes I built that system also." I have a means of making very clean, "near sterile" water from any source. I have a little dirty creek.
After you get your Socolist Medicine and Obama becomes dictator and you are hungry, don't come by here! I have hogs, I'll feed your remains to them and then eat them

KKK said.

[ADH]

Viktor Renquist wrote:

<quoted text>
Okay, a system that leaves FORTY SEVEN MILLION without ANY health care system is the best in the world? Dude, you HAVE to cut down your hallucinogens
<quoted text>
You obviously have NO idea of which you speak. I've lived in both the UK and here in Oz. The UK has a sole providor, free at point of provision system of health care and that covers EVERY person in the nation if they wish it. It has good and bad points ... good points include management of chronic conditions, basic A&E provisions and so forth. They tend to be weaker on conditions that express in a way that is unusual.
Oz is like Germany. It has a 2-tier system where the basic services are funded by the government and fees are capped at a reasonable level. To cover the gap between government service and all the bells and whistles you can take private insurance. It works, IMNSHO, better than the UK system overall, but is not as good at managing chronic conditions.
The presence of the government, either as sole providor or as basic fund providor is *imperative* ifg you want a system that is equitable.
If, on the other hand, you APPROVE of 47 million going without ANY healthcare, then by all means, stay in the third world
<quoted text>
How about equity and fairness, as explained above

You are very misinformed. The U.S. has the best health care system in the world. We drive innovation. In the last 10 years, 12 Nobel winners in medicine went to American born scientists working in the U.S., 3 to foreign born scientists working here, and just 7 to foreign scientists.

America dominates biomedical research because the research environment is wealthier, more competitive, more meritocratic and more tolerant of waste and chaos than Europe. Europe simply cannot close the gap. Four of the 6 most important medical innovations of the last 25 years were developed in American hospitals or by American companies. We help the entire world with our medical research.

Also, there are not 47 million uninsured here. 11 million people qualify for Medicaid (for poor people) or SCHIP (for their children) and do not bother to sign up. Millions of uninsured are illegal immigrants. California alone has 1 million such people. 18 million uninsured make more than $50,000 per year and 9.7 million make more than $75,000 per year and choose not to buy insurance. Some of the uninsured are temporarily uninsured because of loss of job or being between jobs. Much of our insurance is tied to employment because of previous government interference.

The point is that there are specific reasons we have uninsured people. Nobody wants anyone to fall through the cracks and suffer, but let's address specific issues and reasons because being uninsured is not random. Forcing everyone into a one-size-fits-all mandatory Obamacare plan will not fix any of these reasons. It will only lead to far worse problems and higher taxes.

Let's address each reason. Let's also let people buy insurance across state lines to increase competition. Let's have some tort reform. We did that here in TX and doctors from all over are flocking here. Let's address the problems of pre-existing conditions and find a real remedy.

Obama's plans do not provide universal coverage. Millions would still be left uninsured. The official report from the HSA says the plan actually drives costs up, not down. Nothing is solved.

[mad baker]

ADH wrote:

<quoted text>
You are very misinformed. The U.S. has the best health care system in the world. We drive innovation. In the last 10 years, 12 Nobel winners in medicine went to American born scientists working in the U.S., 3 to foreign born scientists working here, and just 7 to foreign scientists.
America dominates biomedical research because the research environment is wealthier, more competitive, more meritocratic and more tolerant of waste and chaos than Europe. Europe simply cannot close the gap. Four of the 6 most important medical innovations of the last 25 years were developed in American hospitals or by American companies. We help the entire world with our medical research.

Actually, it is you who seem to be misinformed. America doesn't have the best health care system in the world, in fact we are ranked 22nd. The American health care system is wonderful if you are sufficiently wealthy, but has significant issues for many Americans. American companies have not dominated the biomedical research market, since George W took office. We arbitrarily limited research into some of the most promising new fields and have fallen behind many international companies. We still have a robust pharmaceutical industry, but that has more to do with the robust patent laws in America than with our actual health care system. You are right our current health care system is very waste tolerant. Working in the health care system I see on a daily basis patients who are receiving care they don't need, which drives up the cost for everyone. We have millions of uninsured and because people like you are terrified of the word "socialism" the Obama administration has backed away from the only reasonable method of fixing the health care industry. Eliminating private insurance and instituting a single payer system. If properly managed it would be able to curtail costs and would be a benefit to small businesses which have difficulty paying for insurance. The tying of insurance to employment had nothing to do with government interference. During the Great Depression, when insurance in America was being introduced, it was marketed to people who were employed. Then during WW2, it was further linked as a way to lure the few workers who were still available and not fighting overseas.
The influx of doctors to Texas, now that they don't have to worry as much about malpractice, will not lower costs. It simply takes doctors from one region and moves them to another... In order to bring down the costs in the health care system we need to limit the production of new drugs that are designed for no purpose but to increase the lifespan of pharmaceutical patents. We need to limit wasteful spending, not everyone needs to have every test when they go to the doctor... The problems in the current system derive from the the simple fact that our system has become a for-profit industry. Doctors make too much money, hospitals make too much money, and insurance companies make way too much money. Insurance companies have every reason to look for newer and more disgusting reasons to limit how much care you can receive. It sickens me to think that because people like you are terrified of socialism you would rather see rape victims, raped again by their insurance company than a health care system that is about compassion for your fellow man and not about making money...

[patricialynn]

ADH wrote:

<quoted text>
You are very misinformed. The U.S. has the best health care system in the world. We drive innovation. In the last 10 years, 12 Nobel winners in medicine went to American born scientists working in the U.S., 3 to foreign born scientists working here, and just 7 to foreign scientists.

Just curious where you got this information...because if you add up the numbers, you are saying that 22 Nobel prizes in medicine went out in the last decade. However, only ONE Nobel prize in medicine is awarded each year. How do you figure?