Democrats vow to ban domestic violence as 'pre-existing condition'

Democrats vow to ban domestic violence as 'pre-existing condition'


October 6, 2009 -- Updated 2015 GMT (0415 HKT)

By Alan Silverleib


WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Top House Democrats on Tuesday slammed insurers who claim that domestic violence is a pre-existing condition that can be used to deny coverage to battered women.

They pledged to incorporate a ban on the practice in the health care reform legislation winding its way through Congress.

Forty-two states have passed such a prohibition, according to a recent report from the National Women's Law Center. Idaho, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Wyoming and the District of Columbia have not, however.

"Think of this," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. "You've survived domestic violence, and now you are discriminated {against} in the insurance market because you have a pre-existing medical condition. Well, that will all be gone."

The ban would be part of a broader prohibition against the use of pre-existing conditions to deny care, a component of all the reform bills now under consideration.

more...

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/10/06/domestic.violence.insurance/index.html

Or did that get taken off the table?

is hideous. I'm glad Dems are pointing that out.

afaik, no pre-existing condition will be considered or influence premiums or care in the future if HCR passes.

of the industry to meet our needs.

If we're required to purchase health insurance yet they're under no obligation to actually provide health care, I fail to see how that's no extortion.