Preexisting Conditions: A Barrier to Healthcare for Survivors of Domestic Violence

Strategic Insights -

Senator Patty Murray advocates for changing the system to prevent insurance companies from denying coverage to survivors of domestic violence, citing a shocking truth: seven states, including the District of Columbia, do not have laws that bar insurance companies from rejecting men or women who are beaten up by their spouses. The health-care reform plans currently being debated in Congress aim to bar insurers from denying anyone based on preexisting conditions, but Murray, a Democratic Senator from Washington, believes that more needs to be done to protect women who have been victims of domestic violence.

Key Takeaways:

  • The list of preexisting conditions that disqualify or make insurance more expensive is mind-boggling, with domestic violence being one of the most alarming examples. According to Senator Patty Murray, seven states plus the District of Columbia do not have laws that bar insurance companies from rejecting men or women who are beaten up by their spouses.
  • Senator Murray introduced an amendment in 2006 to prevent insurance companies from denying coverage to survivors of domestic violence, but it died in committee due to opposition from Republicans, including Senator Richard Burr of North Carolina.
  • Insurance companies consider domestic violence as a preexisting condition and deny coverage to women who have been victims of this crime because they have knowledge of the abuse from medical records.
  • Senator Murray believes that every citizen of the United States should have the ability to buy healthcare insurance without being denied coverage due to preexisting conditions such as domestic violence, pregnancy, or a c-section.
  • The proposed health-care reform plans aim to bar insurers from denying anyone based on preexisting conditions, but Senator Murray advocates for stronger protections for women who have been victims of domestic violence.

Statistics:

  • Seven states plus the District of Columbia do not have laws that bar insurance companies from rejecting men or women who are beaten up by their spouses (Source: CNN).
  • Senator Patty Murray introduced legislation in 2006 to prevent insurance companies from denying coverage to survivors of domestic violence (Source: CNN).
  • Insurance companies deny coverage to women who have been victims of domestic violence due to preexisting conditions (Source: Senator Patty Murray).
  • Health-care reform plans currently being debated in Congress aim to bar insurers from denying anyone based on preexisting conditions (Source: CNN).

Sources:

  • CNN, a 2009 interview with Senator Patty Murray.
  • Senator Patty Murray, statement to CNN on October 6, 2009.
  • Federal News Service, Inc., transcript of the CNN interview with Senator Patty Murray (Copyright 2009 by Federal News Service, Inc.).