Health Care Stories: "It Is a Crime to Deny Care"

Private insurance companies use excuses like “pre-existing condition” and “lapse in coverage” to deny coverage and maximize profits.  Clinton is one of many HIV positive individuals who struggle to secure any health coverage in the private marketplace and are reliant on a patchwork system to provide necessary coverage.  Uninsured, or over-charged, individuals can have adequate care without the stress of relying on a system that seeks to exclude as many people as possible.  An affordable, high-quality public insurance option can offer the care they need at a price they can afford, regardless of pre-existing condition or employment status.  

 "I am HIV positive and have never had any HIV related medical illnesses. When I turned 50 years old, I needed to have a colonoscopy, which is standard preventive testing when one turns 50.  I was ‘denied because of a preexisting HIV condition’; it appears insurance companies want to find any reason even though it is irrational to deny coverage (ultimately they approved it once they concurred I had continuous coverage from my previous group plan).  Of course, I can never buy insurance on my own without being in group coverage plan. PLEASE MAKE SURE THERE IS A PUBLIC OPTION FOR PERSONS LIKE ME!  I am unemployed and on COBRA; I not sure what I will do if I can't get into a company with a group insurance plan by the time my COBRA runs out or if there is more than a 60-day lapse in coverage (after a 60-day lapse even if in a group plan preexisting conditions kick in for one year to two years). These actions are criminal - it is a crime to deny care or broadly define almost anything, even preventive care, as related to a preexisting condition.” 

Clinton, IL

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*Please note that actual names have been changed to protect individual's confidentiality.  Media interested in interviewing HIV-positive people about health-coverage issues should contact AFC Communications Director Johnathon Briggs at jbriggs@aidschicago or 312-334-0922.