Yesterday, an investigation by Reuters revealed that Wellpoint routinely drops coverage of women with breast cancer. According to the report, Wellpoint used a computer algorithm that automatically targeted every policy holder recently diagnosed with breast cancer. The software triggered a fraud investigation and the company would then search for any pretext—say a late payment or a reportedly missing form—to drop them.

Unfortunately this type of behavior on the part of an insurer isn’t unusual. Each year tens of thousands of Americans lose their health insurance after being diagnosed with an expensive or life-threatening illness. The practice, known as “recission,” has been well documented by government regulators for years. Last year, a congressional committee said that Wellpoint was one of the worst offenders.

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...it’s a sad day when it becomes evident that profits are more important than a person’s life.