Women told to 'get sterilized' or no health insurance
October 16, 10:40 AM
Sheila Guilloton
(D-MD) was outraged that
an insurer would demand sterilization of females
applying for individual health insurance
Congress was stunned to learn that women who have had Cesarean sections have been denied health insurance unless they agree to sterilization.
U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), a senior member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee which produced one of the major health care reform bills, was outranged at testimony by women who had been denied health insurance for reasons having to do with child bearing.
One of the most egregious aspects of getting health insurance if you are a woman of child bearing years, was highlighted by the testimony of Peggy Robertson of Centennial, Colorado. Ms. Robertson told the Committee and later ABC News, that she had been declined for coverage by Golden Rule, the subsidiary of United Healthcare which sells individual insurance.
The reason for the decline was that Ms. Robertson delivered her last child by Caesarean section. Many hospitals and doctors will not even try a vaginal birth if a woman has had a previous C-section. It is a controversial practice but one that is difficult to fight even if a woman would prefer to have the option.
Golden Rule actually sent a letter recommending voluntary sterilization if Ms. Robertson wanted to be covered by a Golden Rule individual policy. The letter from the company advised Ms. Robertson that if she had been sterilized or if she were over 40 and had given birth 2 or more years before applying, she might be considered for individual insurance.
Sen. Mikulski appeared stunned and outraged at the idea that an insurance company would actually suggest such a procedure as a pre-requisite to getting health insurance. She called the practice morally repugnant.
One does have to wonder why a member of the HELP Committee which was responsible for the Affordable Health Choices Act would be surprised by the testimony. Historically woman during child bearing years almost always pay at least twice as much for health insurance as men in the same age bracket.
Read why women, especially younger women, have trouble getting health insurance
In most states, insurers will not even include maternity coverage in their individual plans.
What excuse do insurers give for this reprehensible practice?
Cost, of course, Statistically, a C-section will cost on average about $2700 more than a vaginal delivery.
Medical underwriting has long been a very large thorn in the sides of insurance brokers who try and enroll clients in individual plans. What constituents a “healthy person” in the mind of an underwriter is far removed from what most people would consider to be a healthy person.
As more people leave group plans which do offer some protection from medical underwriting in most states the public will become much more aware of how impossible medical underwriting has become.
All the bills currently pending claim they will fix this issue. Will they? Don't bet on it.
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