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Is domestic abuse a pre-existing condition?

Posted by: Julia Eisman on Sep 15, 2009

We know that insurance companies can deny individuals their health coverage for almost anything - for little things, like acid reflux, a hangnail, even acne, and also for more serious medical issues like cancer or heart disease. Yet if you thought this egregious practice couldn't get any worse, it has.

Turns out, a woman can be denied coverage if she is a victim of domestic violence. According to the National Women's Law Center study on women in the individual market, in eight states (Idaho, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Wyoming) and DC, domestic violence can be considered a pre-existing condition, and coverage for the victim can be dropped.

Despite state laws that exist to protect victims of domestic abuse, including ensuring medical care and insurance coverage, insurance companies have simply looked the other way, once again putting profits over people. According to SEIU, in 2006, the Senate HELP committee introduced an amendment to end this practice, but it failed. All "no" votes were from Republicans.