Have you ever worried about being denied health insurance because you have celiac disease? I have. Just a few months ago, I left my full-time job to accept my dream jobs as the Food & Lifestyle Editor of Delight Magazine and at the same time, work on a chronic disease and medical provider campaign with Health Care for America Now. I knew going into it that I was going to have to find my own personal insurance plan to cover me until the new benefits kicked in.
In the last five years, I was diagnosed with celiac disease and had 5 surgeries on my right hand to correct problems related to a benign tumor growing in my palm. With these pre-existing condition on my records, it was a horrifying process to apply for a new insurance plan. I applied for two plans that seemed good and I prayed everyday for two weeks that I would get an acceptance letter from one of them with a premium price that I could afford.
Just as I expected, I received conditional approvals from both that outlined my pre-existing conditions perfectly and notified me that I needed to provide proof of previous coverage in the past 63 days or else anything related would not be covered. Thankfully, I was able to do so and was enrolled in the private plan for a price I could afford. A happy ending for me, but one that came with much stress and anxiety. And don't worry...I know that many of you reading this have not had quite so happy endings. You've been denied.
But there is good news on the horizon...the fabulous folks on Capitol Hill are doing something incredible for all of us with celiac disease and other chronic conditions. Today Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va) and Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn) introduced legislation in the Senate and House of Representatives that would ban insurance companies from denying coverage to people with preexisting medical conditions and chronic diseases!
According to the sponsors of the legislation, the Pre-Existing Condition Patient Protection Act would end insurance discrimination against those who live with
pre-existing or chronic illness by mandating that insurance companies cover patients regardless of what appears in their medical history.
View a copy of the Bill: Download Pre-existing Conditions Language
If the Pre-Existing Condition Patient Protection Act is passed (and I REALLY hope it is), it will eliminate pre-existing condition exclusions in all insurance markets, which would represent a gigantic leap forward for the 133 million Americans living with at least one chronic condition. Just take a moment to think about it. You would never again have to worry about being denied health insurance because you have a medical problem. You could actually focus on keeping yourself healthy instead of worrying about how to pay for your care.
In a statement to the press, Rep. Courtney said, “It is wrong and impractical to commit ourselves to health care reform without addressing the faulty and ill-advised pre-existing condition exclusion. This discriminatory practice prevents millions of hardworking Americans from changing or finding new jobs and in this economy that is just plain wrong. Senator Rockefeller and I agree that it is time for the most advanced nation in the world to have a world-class health care system that is fair and affordable.”
And, to top off this fabulous news, the legislation has already been endorsed by twenty-two organizations, including: American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association; American Heart Association/American Stroke Association; Association of Black Cardiologists, Inc.; Association of Community Cancer Centers; Breast Cancer Network of Strength; Children’s Cause for Cancer Advocacy; Congenital Heart; Information Network; Dermatology Nurses’ Association; First Focus; International Myeloma Foundation; Lung Cancer Alliance; Lupus Foundation of America; Mended Little Hearts; National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners; National Patient Advocate Foundation; Oncology Nursing Society; Ovarian Cancer National Alliance; Pediatric Stroke Network, Inc.; Sarcoma Foundation of America; Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association; The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; and The Wellness Community.
On a final note, for those of you who don't follow politics, Sen. Rockefeller is the Chairman of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care and Congressman Courtney sits on the House Education and Labor Committee. These are key committees for the health care reform process. Great work gentlemen!
Absolutly fantastic news! Thank you for getting the word out!
Glenda
Posted by: Glenda L. Waring | 03/20/2009 at 10:07 AM
That is excellent news!
Best Regard.
Muchas gracias
sonia
Posted by: sonia sin gluten | 03/18/2009 at 02:24 PM
Health Insurance Policy For All Seasons
This plans help in the payment of our health care before time. It is advisable to know the type of coverage that your health insurance plan gives to you, the rules and guidelines that governs your health insurance plans in details. Many health insurance plans covers things like injuries, outpatient visits and pregnancies. This reason makes health insurance planning very important. The right insurer can only be contacted via a trusted health insurance website.
Posted by: Finance Entry | 03/18/2009 at 02:47 AM
This is such a relief to learn about this. I've been sooo afraid that if I lost my job that I couldn't get new insurance because of my pre-existing health issues. Thank you so much for writing about this important issue!
Posted by: Ellen | 03/17/2009 at 08:09 PM
That is excellent news! I sure hope it goes through.
Posted by: Cassandra | 03/17/2009 at 06:50 PM