The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux)

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by JWBear

What would you say to the parents of a child who was born with a congenital heart defect, but whose surgery to correct the defect was denied by the insurance company because it was a "pre-existing condition"? "Sorry, it's your problem, not mine." or "Sorry, you need to choose between losing your child and impoverishing yourselves because your insurance company needs to maximize profits in order to keep the investers happy."

This is a horrible situation, and I admit I have no ideas for that specifically.

However, insurance companies are businesses. It is not unreasonsable to expect them to look to make a profit. It's why they are there. Is that heartless? I don't know. I fully admit HUGE nervousness when my three children were born, hoping there would be no complications or problems that would make them uninsurable, and great relief when they were healthy - for reasons other than insurance coverage as well, of course.

Please note I did not say they are always scrupulous in their dealings. For my daughters knee surgery, they denied the MRI that showed she needed it, but approved the surgery based on it. I'm currently appealing (and i don't know if this is common, but I haven't been required to pay the bill until the appeal is settled).