Rape as a Pre-existing Condition

Analysis… 

After being drugged and physically assaulted, Christina Turner woke up in a ditch.  She feared that she had been sexually assualted and so she went on a PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis, to prevent an HIV infection) regimen of pills.  However, what Christina did not realize is that the history of having taken those medications would raise too many flags and inhibit her ability to be insured in the future.  She had a dreaded pre-existing condition.

Alternet |Out of all of this is an increasing string of stories of individual w omen who’ve been denied insurance because their wombs, breasts, rapes (pick one) or simply their sex makes them a “pre-existing condition.”

SEIU | So what would Chris have had to do in order to not be rejected from receiving coverage after being raped? Get into a time machine and undo this terrible experience that was out of her control? Almost. In order to qualify for insurance coverage at all, Chris would have had to have tested negative for HIV for two to three years, along with completing one to two years of intensive counseling (depending on the specific insurance company and plan).

Daily Kos | Turner’s story about HIV drugs is not unusual, said Cindy Holtzman, an insurance agent and expert in medical billing at Medical Refund Service, Inc. of Marietta, Ga. Insurers generally categorize HIV-positive people as having a pre-existing condition and deny them coverage. Holtzman said that health insurance companies also consistently decline coverage for anyone who has taken anti-HIV drugs, even if they test negative for the virus. “It’s basically an automatic no,” she said…..

Now Public | On October 20, Turner spoke at the National Women’s Law Center’s launch of “Being a Woman Is Not a Pre-Existing Condition” campaign, sharing her story of survival. Many think Turner’s case shows the inadequacy of American health care system, which US President Barack Obama is trying to amend.

Hip Hop  | Insurance companies are notorious for not caring about the people who’s health is supposed to be their top priority. Numerous first-hand accounts reveal their injustices, and still, companies like Aetna and Kaiser all purport to still be working for “John and Jane Everyman.” …With insurance companies able to treat their customers like this, its nothing less than the ultimate question as to why there is so much resistance against a public option?  Come on people…GET IN THE GAME!!!

Air America  | There’s no good option pending for women’s health right now. The Congress is so budy trying to get a bipartisan bill passed that it’s allowing women’s health provisions to fall by the wayside. And the private industry is denying women’s legitimate health claims left and right. The only thing left to do for some women is to pay out of pocket for the care they require–and, as too many Americans already know, no one can do that indefinitely.

 News…

Authoritarian Corporate Model Spurring Suicides in Europe | Alternet

As many as 24 workers with France Telecom, the country’s largest communication company, have taken their lives during the last 18 months. In September alone, four France Telecom workers committed suicide. In all these cases, the victims had said they would kill themselves because of unbearable pressure at work.

Meet the Homelessness Experts | Change.org

Whether you’re learning about homelessness for the first time, or a policy wonk with years of experience in the field of homelessness services, you are poised to gain something from listening to the story of a formerly homeless person. Sure – it’s important to know the high-level policy debates about an issue. It’s important to examine the strengths and weaknesses of programs. It’s necessary to constantly brainstorm new and innovative ways of creating affordable housing. But the best way to improve the delivery of services is to open our ears and listen to those who have experienced it for themselves.