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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009

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Limbaugh's Wrong: Gallup's Obama Approval Below 50%

New survey is latest disappointment for President

Nov 20, 09 2:03 PM CST
Neglected Ind. Fans Boo Palin

Hecklers accuse her of 'quitting on the job'

Nov 20, 09 3:50 PM CST
Huckabee: Obama
Attacks 'Shameful'

Republican condemns
knee-jerk criticism

Nov 20, 09 3:32 AM CST
SURPRISE, SURPRISE

Sullivan Back; Still Hates Palin

Calls her book 'manifesto for the imagined life'

Nov 19, 09 8:49 PM CST
ANN COULTER

Diversity Isn't a Strength

'Irritating cliché' should be ditched in wake of Fort Hood

Nov 19, 09 1:18 AM CST
Rush: Gallup Counting Too Many Blacks for Obama

That's why the president's approval ratings are above 50%, he says

Nov 20, 09 8:15 AM CST
Billboard Links Obama to Jihad

Colo. car dealership wants this opinion heard

Nov 20, 09 8:42 PM CST
poll shows dead heat

Far-Right
Challenger
a Threat
to McCain

Talk show host JD Hayworth gets close in new poll

Nov 20, 09 10:09 AM CST
PILING ON

Fox Caught Fudging
Footage Again

This-just-in Palin video actually from '08 campaign

Nov 18, 09 7:39 PM CST
Sarah Palin's
$25.6M Week

Think of it as a 1-woman stimulus package for herself, publishing, media

Nov 20, 09 7:11 AM CST
HE'S GOT A BOOK OUT, TOO

Beck to Unveil
'Big Plan' at
Saturday Rally

Righty pundit OK with destroying Dems and GOP

Nov 20, 09 8:07 PM CST
DAVID BROOKS

Geithner Got It Right

Treasury secretary's pragmatic approach to financial crisis paid off

Nov 20, 09 5:16 AM CST
OBAMA'S FREE RIDE

Latest Undeserved
Honor: Black Belt

Obama is now a master of tae kwon do, with 0 years practice

Nov 19, 09 2:07 PM CST

|NEXT STORY »

INVESTIGATION

Insurers Drop Rape Victims Who Take HIV Meds

Assaulted women locked out of health care

By Kevin Spak| Posted Oct 22, 09 11:16 AM CDT|

(Newser) – Sexual assault victims prescribed precautionary HIV/AIDS meds risk being denied health insurance—because they have a pre-existing condition. The vast majority never develop the disease, but many have lost their insurance altogether, the Huffington Post reports. Others have been denied mental health care for PTSD that arose after they were assaulted (see video).

A spokesman for the main industry trade group says insurers don’t discriminate against sexual assault victims, but that anyone taking HIV drugs is considered “in treatment for HIV, period,” and may be denied coverage. Frustrated doctors say that’s not medically sound. “What are we supposed to tell women now?" said one nurse "Well, I guess you have a choice—you can risk your health insurance or you can risk AIDS. Go ahead and choose.”

[Images (1)]

[Videos (1)]

[Quotes (2)]

The HIV drug Kaletra is seen in a Chicago pharmacy on Tuesday, June 5, 2007. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

View larger images >>

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

A Huffington Post video on the problems assault victims have getting mental health care. (youtube.com)

View larger videos >>

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »

The chance of a rape victim actually contracting AIDS is very low. It doesn't make any sense to use that as a calculus for determining who get health insurance. - Dr. Alex Schafir

I'm going to be penalized my whole life because of this. - Christina Turner

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

11.20.09

The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun

11.19.09

Sarah Palin Deserves Some More Attention

51 comments

VIEWING:

tomodachi
Oct 22, 09 11:20 AM CDT

The insurance companies have been getting away with murder. Now is the time for things to change. No Public Option = No Reform. The US needs reform now. Reply

+36

IN RESPONSE:

Gooner82
Oct 22, 09 11:28 AM CDT

Agreed

+10

IN RESPONSE:

davjc09
Oct 22, 09 11:33 AM CDT

So, by your logic, if we just pass the public option, without regulating anything else. This could still happen. I'm not saying the PO is a bad idea, but it's definitely not a panacea for healthcare.

-8

IN RESPONSE:

DJM420
Oct 22, 09 12:03 PM CDT

i guess that's his logic if you read into it that way, but really you are implying that he says nothing else about hc needs change, and he's does not. he's actually saying that all that other stuff is great, but its for naught if it all does not include the PO

IN RESPONSE:

DJM420
Oct 22, 09 12:06 PM CDT

and i guess a good example is this very article, which, i imagine we all agree is a travesty, although one which a PO would not directly fix. therefore, other regulation is clearly needed ON TOP of the PO, and im sure tomodachi was hoping you'd just pick up on that, instead of calling him out for not stating it

IN RESPONSE:

davjc09
Oct 22, 09 12:13 PM CDT

I agree with you mostly DJM. It's no secret that I'm not a huge fan of the PO the way it is outlined. But as the President has previously stated, the PO is only a small part of the reform (a 'sliver' I believe was his wording? Correct me if I'm wrong.). He said it's not a dealbreaker. So I was attacking his premise that there will be no real reform without a PO.

-3

IN RESPONSE:

Vyridian
Oct 22, 09 7:59 PM CDT

Insurance is a business with investors and accountants to please. Therein lies the problem. As long as there is profit incentive where people's lives are involved, people are going to die. Fix the system already. The public option won't be the entire answer, but it's a necessary first step.

| 0 minutes ago

Acoma
Oct 22, 09 11:28 AM CDT

what the fuck? Reply

IN RESPONSE:

WallyEFunk
Oct 23, 09 10:53 AM CDT

This is just sick..

| 0 minutes ago

calkino
Oct 22, 09 11:36 AM CDT

health insurance should not be a for-profit business. period. Reply

+23

IN RESPONSE:

Spudsy
Oct 22, 09 2:00 PM CDT

Agreed. Time to change the industry. Split them up into their health branch, auto branch, other insurances that aren't legally mandated such as housing etc., and their annuity rackets.

IN RESPONSE:

ultramarine13
Oct 22, 09 2:17 PM CDT

Agreed. The nation's police and fire departments, libraries, and military are all not for-profit. I say add healthcare/health insurance and education to that list.

| 0 minutes ago

stacysaw
Oct 22, 09 11:40 AM CDT

insurance companies doing this are on the express train to hell. Reply

+11

| 0 minutes ago

BlahBlahBlah
Oct 22, 09 11:44 AM CDT

I don’t care what bolt of political fabric you are cut from this sort of thing should be criminal. We can start buy taking their anti trust exemption and then reform health care with a mandate that prohibits denial of coverage for "pre existing conditions". If you ask the insurance bastards breathing is a pre existing condition. How long are we going to keep out heads in the sand over this issue? Not too long I hope. Reply

+16

IN RESPONSE:

davjc09
Oct 22, 09 11:49 AM CDT

Couldn't agree more.

IN RESPONSE:

newsfreak55
Oct 22, 09 12:24 PM CDT

The only thing I would add to your comment is that the penalty for denying coverage based on a pre-existing condition should be very severe. I believe in the Baucus bill it's only $5000 - hardly worth adhering to if the other option is paying tens or hundreds of thousands in claims.

IN RESPONSE:

LovinLife
Oct 22, 09 12:31 PM CDT

You should blahblahblah more often! This is not a partisan issue - thank you for the timely reminder. ;o)

IN RESPONSE:

GreekChorus
Oct 22, 09 6:04 PM CDT

We should certainly take away antitrust exemption, but rather than require that companies cover preexisting conditions, we should deregulate the companies to allow new, more innovative companies compete and offer a more diverse set of coverages. Also, eliminate the subsidy for employer-based coverage, make all heath care costs tax deductible, use the direct (first party) payer model drive costs down through the increased competition without reducing quality. The "preexisting condition" coverage requirement would only raise everyone's rates.

-1

| 0 minutes ago

alkaseltzersammich
Oct 22, 09 11:49 AM CDT

Needless to say, this is unfair. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Guava_Jelly
Oct 22, 09 11:51 AM CDT

Here's a solution... REFORM the health care system by eliminating the pre-existing condition (insurance company) EXCUSE...DO NOT overhaul the WHOLE system. Do we really want the government controlling 1/6 of the economy with our money? As for the alleged decrease in the budget...let's take a look at our history...Medicare (entire program). In 1967, the House Ways and Means Committee predicted that the new Medicare program, launched the previous year, would cost about $12 billion in 1990. Actual Medicare spending in 1990 was $110 billion—off by nearly a factor of 10. Now is NOT the time for additional spending measures...THE economy should be the NUMBER ONE priority now...just ask the American people Reply

-11

IN RESPONSE:

davjc09
Oct 22, 09 12:06 PM CDT

Eliminating pre-existing condition clauses will not do much to insure the uninsured. It will help the ones who can afford it but cannot get coverage bc of their conditions. It does nothing about the actual cost of healthcare.

IN RESPONSE:

Guava_Jelly
Oct 22, 09 12:47 PM CDT

Agreed, this is only ONE of the basic health insurance complaints which would be solved. In order to insure the uninsured I like the (free market) idea of eliminating the intra-state insurance barrier so insurance companies can compete on a national scale (to reduce costs) while at the same time requiring everyone MUST have insurance. For those who cannot afford (making under a defined threshold) give them free insurance or reduced rates based on income level.

-4

IN RESPONSE:

davjc09
Oct 22, 09 2:13 PM CDT

I like that idea, too. I also support lifting anti-trust exemption from insurance and a 'trigger' for the public option. I think most of these measures force the hand of insurers to drop rates, and if they don't they'll have to deal with the public option (which they believe will ruin them). I think they'll oblige to keep that out of the picture in exchange for new customers.

IN RESPONSE:

Guava_Jelly
Oct 22, 09 2:55 PM CDT

@davjc09- Agreed. I'd be willing to accept these proposals as last resorts in case the other measures enforced on the insurance companies FAIL to provide affordable offers...if they don't adhere bring out the public option and let them crumble.

-1

IN RESPONSE:

Thinker
Oct 22, 09 9:55 PM CDT

So, conservatives cannot think of spending huge amounts of tax money on health care for everyone. It's unthinkable. However, they don't say a word when trillions are spent on defense. We have 45 million people completely unprotected against illness and death, hundreds of thousands dying each year from lack of adequate medical care, and all the conservatives care about is giving more than one half of every tax dollar to the military??! Why not make us all super healthy and let us fight our own battles? You think all that military money is keeping us safe? For what, so we can all die of curable diseases???

IN RESPONSE:

Guava_Jelly
Oct 22, 09 10:26 PM CDT

I would venture to say most ALL conservatives are FOR health care reform...just NOT a public option. Additionally, most are especially resistant to the P.O (which will ADD to the deficit however you slice it) when we have, and continue, to spend trillions on a war.

| 0 minutes ago

davjc09
Oct 22, 09 11:58 AM CDT

My concern with this reform is how do we get insurers to actually pay for procedures? Under our currefnt reform measures, we have the mechanisms to insure more people, (maybe) drive premiums down, but nothing to actually ensure (no pun intended) that people actually get what they pay for. Nothing limits the denials of claims. And since we want to tax the hell out of insurance companies anyway, they'll even deny our claims even more. It's going to be a shame if almost all Americans have insurance that doesn't actually get them the care they need. We need some kind of healthcare bill of rights, or something that outlines certain things that insurers can't deny. Something to curb the potential increase of denials. Reply

-1

IN RESPONSE:

DJM420
Oct 22, 09 12:10 PM CDT

how about not denying any claims. if they see a doctor, and the dr treats you, they should pay it. what else do you pay $$$$ for every month, but dont get anything back (besides cable) ??

IN RESPONSE:

LovinLife
Oct 22, 09 12:29 PM CDT

You've just made the case for a Pulbic Option - only competition will drive a better product for consumers.

IN RESPONSE:

davjc09
Oct 22, 09 12:50 PM CDT

Is the PO going to pay for everything? How does that keep costs down? If we let all claims go, there will be more fraud and even more massive spending on healthcare. And that's what the bill is supposedly trying to do: curb costs while insuring more Americans.

-2

| 0 minutes ago

cochiserocks
Oct 22, 09 12:17 PM CDT

Wow - that's a hardcore line to take and I think they underestimate the level of compassion most people have - I think they've scored a massive own goal. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

LovinLife
Oct 22, 09 12:28 PM CDT

Keep it up Insurance Industry - you're making the push for a Public Option so much easier. Competition is coming, Babies! Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Guava_Jelly
Oct 22, 09 1:01 PM CDT

I'm sorry but your delusional if you think the public option will increase competition...try the opposite. What makes you think the government is LESS corrupt than insurance companies??? Have you seen the congressional approval rating?

-5

IN RESPONSE:

LovinLife
Oct 22, 09 1:55 PM CDT

Guava - We can fire the politicians who are not doing their job by voting them out of office. As the general public becomes wise to this crap they're pulling, I'm confident that we will do just that. Tried firing your insurance company execs lately?

IN RESPONSE:

Guava_Jelly
Oct 22, 09 2:47 PM CDT

Haha no I haven't but I'm sure some have...IMO, the answer to this is tougher regulation NOT government take over...now a question for you... say instead of new regulations, we put this public option into action and we discover it will cost us an amount which dwarfs the original budget and quality has decreased...Will people be willing to be charged a fee for something which is "free"?

-2

IN RESPONSE:

LovinLife
Oct 22, 09 3:19 PM CDT

Touger regulations - like we did with the credit card industry? Citi and BofA took federal bailout money and are now spending it on lavish bonuses, building sports arenas and sponsoring teams, and working overtime to raise interest rates before regulation can hamper their efforts to make a buck. Regulation is not enough. By the way, Cap One and Disc have opted to abide by the spirit of the law in Colorado until the letter goes into effect. They've got my future business! Competition works - it's the missing piece of the "new" conservatives talking points.

IN RESPONSE:

Guava_Jelly
Oct 22, 09 3:55 PM CDT

I'm not sure what conservative talking points your reading (feel free to direct me) but ALL the ones which I read focus on the point that....competition works. A government run healthcare does NOT allow competition!!!

-1

IN RESPONSE:

calkino
Oct 22, 09 4:20 PM CDT

guava, i don't think you're paying close enough attention. the government is not taking over all healthcare. they are trying to offer an alternative to the current system. that is the definition of competition. this competition will hopefully force the insurance companies to get their product more in line with reality. with any luck, the insurance companies will have to adjust to the universal rule of business that if you piss off or alienate all of your customers, they will leave you for something else (ergo, public option).

IN RESPONSE:

Guava_Jelly
Oct 22, 09 6:26 PM CDT

@calkino- Hahaha...I don't think YOUR paying close enough attention (or your ignoring the writing on the wall)...a number of Democrats willingly admit this will drive PRIVATE companies out of business b/c they won't be able to compete. It has also been called the TROJAN HORSE (by many on the LEFT)!!!

-1

IN RESPONSE:

Guava_Jelly
Oct 22, 09 6:36 PM CDT

Don't take my word...here you are----> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfOWnZ82Pm4

-1

IN RESPONSE:

Guava_Jelly
Oct 22, 09 6:41 PM CDT

OR.... from Barry himself if you prefer...-----> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-bY92mcOdk&feature=fvw

-1

IN RESPONSE:

LovinLife
Oct 23, 09 5:47 AM CDT

Sure, Guava - like Medicare put private insurance out of business. The same arguments were used by the insurance industry then to block that program. C'mon.

| 0 minutes ago

schmidtkoff
Oct 22, 09 12:36 PM CDT

insurance companies = $$$ and self interest in their profits and payouts to their execs. they really have no concern for their customers, those who finance this aberration through no fault of their own. i pay regularly, don't take advantage, someday i get sick, and BANG. ya got me. i'm now dropped because i screw up your bottom financial line. yer goin' down monopolistic insurance companies, yer goin' down. we will not any longer put up with your piggish greed and non-concern about those who are enrolled in your so-called 'plan'. down comes the apple baby. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

OG_Travis
Oct 22, 09 12:45 PM CDT

health care reform? what do we need that for?? Reply

| 0 minutes ago

kyleleitch
Oct 22, 09 1:28 PM CDT

Surprise!!! Reply

| 0 minutes ago

SemperFI
Oct 22, 09 2:35 PM CDT

One word suits these Insurance companies. Bastards. Bloody overpaid,lobbnist driven,overpaid bastards. It use to be an ounce of protection was a pound of cure. Not anymore you just need to give them a pound of flesh Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Snarfeh
Oct 22, 09 3:39 PM CDT

Soulless. I'd add soulless to that list of adjectives. Otherwise, it's a great list of adjectives. :o)

| 0 minutes ago

Cat-Lover
Oct 22, 09 2:41 PM CDT

AMERICA NEEDS FREE, UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE FOR ALL CITIZENS and LEGALIZED MARIJUANA NOW! Reply

IN RESPONSE:

cornelison
Oct 22, 09 5:43 PM CDT

Yes, like Medicare if possible. Turning away sick or possibly dying patients? What happened to "one nation?" Is it one nation for the wealthy and the other nation for everybody else?

IN RESPONSE:

Thinker
Oct 22, 09 9:58 PM CDT

Cat, you are amazing. Scream it from the mountain tops all you want, but until people wise up, get over their dreams of getting rich and start to understand it's really all about caring for each other (seriously, each other is all we got in this life), no one will take you seriously. But I think you are amazing.

| 0 minutes ago

riffran
Oct 22, 09 10:22 PM CDT

I am not a proponet of the gov running healthcare....but this shit is beyond the pale....it's bullsh** like this that pisses sooo many off and will end up shooting the insurance companies in the foot...and rightly so .....insurance needs a good ole fashion financial ultamatum....to cut the unethical practices such as this , and using any miniscule loophole to rip off people...or get fined into oblivion and jailed Reply

| 0 minutes ago

View all 51 comments »

health insurance • AIDS • HIV • rape • HIV/AIDS • sexual assault • women's issues • health insurance industry • pre-existing condition • America's Health Insurance Plans

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Insurers Drop Rape Victims Who Take HIV Meds

Assaulted women locked out of health care

[Images (1)]

[Videos (1)]

[Quotes (2)]

Accelerated Aging
Tied to HIV/AIDS

Middle-aged sufferers have symptoms of HIV-negative 80-year-olds

MORE ABOUT:
AIDS • dementia • HIV • memory loss • osteoporosis • HIV/AIDS • medication • drug cocktail • mild cognitive impairment • gay men

Michelle Pushes
for Health Reform

First lady makes case for overhaul in personal terms

MORE ABOUT:
health care • breast cancer • Michelle Obama • health care reform • women's issues • health insurance industry • pre-existing condition

Health Reform Could Mean More Treatment Denials

None of the current bills force insurers to actually treat patients

MORE ABOUT:
health insurance • health care reform • denial • health insurance exchange • health insurance industry • pre-existing condition

health insurance • AIDS • HIV • rape • HIV/AIDS • sexual assault • women's issues • health insurance industry • pre-existing condition • America's Health Insurance Plans

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Insurers Drop Rape Victims Who Take HIV Meds

Assaulted women locked out of health care

[Images (1)]

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[Quotes (2)]

Related Newser Stories

Accelerated Aging Tied to HIV/AIDS

Middle-aged sufferers have symptoms of HIV-negative 80-year-olds

MORE ABOUT: AIDS • dementia • HIV • memory loss • osteoporosis • HIV/AIDS • medication • drug cocktail • mild cognitive impairment • gay men

secret weapon

Michelle Pushes for Health Reform

First lady makes case for overhaul in personal terms

MORE ABOUT: health care • breast cancer • Michelle Obama • health care reform • women's issues • health insurance industry • pre-existing condition

Health Reform Could Mean More Treatment Denials

None of the current bills force insurers to actually treat patients

MORE ABOUT: health insurance • health care reform • denial • health insurance exchange • health insurance industry • pre-existing condition

health insurance • AIDS • HIV • rape • HIV/AIDS • sexual assault • women's issues • health insurance industry • pre-existing condition • America's Health Insurance Plans

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from our news partners

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Accelerated Aging
Tied to HIV/AIDS

MORE ABOUT:
AIDS • dementia • HIV • memory loss • osteoporosis • HIV/AIDS • medication • drug cocktail • mild cognitive impairment • gay men

Michelle Pushes
for Health Reform

MORE ABOUT:
health care • breast cancer • Michelle Obama • health care reform • women's issues • health insurance industry • pre-existing condition

MORE ABOUT:
health insurance • health care reform • denial • health insurance exchange • health insurance industry • pre-existing condition