Health Insurance Greed -- From Bad to Worse

Our family's health care story got air time on CNN today, but this clip doesn't tell the latest chapter. The news is that I'm about to embark on another journey that will make our health insurance woes even worse.

You see, tomorrow I'm donating a kidney to a friend. But the day after I was approved to give the gift of life, the LA Times reported that nothing prevents health insurance companies from denying coverage or charging higher premiums to those who donate an organ by categorizing them as people with pre-existing conditions.

Deterring potential donors from giving the gift of life is deadly business.  According to the National Kidney Foundation, demand for kidneys far outstrips supply.  More than 80,000 people are waiting for a kidney, of which about 4,500 die each year.  Living donation rates have declined recently, with only about 6,000 donations last year.

Denying coverage to organ donors ?!? More proof positive that there is no limit to the greed of the health insurance industry. Without regulation and competition, they will ruin our health and our nation's economy.

 

Follow Kathie McClure on Twitter: www.twitter.com/purplebuslady

Comments

[Ron Shook]

05:12 PM on 08/28/2009

You go, Kathie! It's all of us at one time or another or more in our lives that need just this sort of commitment. Time for another round of letters to the paid for jerks of all persuasions that constitute our political class. For profit health care is nothing but anathema, pure and simple. Yeah, I know that they are mostly good people corrupted by their situations, but that doesn't mean it can or should continue. I wish I had half your determination and heart.