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Chris Turner's Rape A "Pre-Existing Condition," Say Insurers

by Yuliya Talmazan | October 21, 2009 at 11:10 am

342 views | 32 Recommendations | 3 comments

A woman from Florida was informed by several health insurance companies that the health consequences she suffered from having been raped are a 'pre-existing condition' and do not qualify for insurance coverage.

Chris Turner was sexually abused in 2002 and had to go on preventative anti-HIV drugs and psychological counselling. But, Turner is a health insurer herself. She suspected that when she renews her insurance, she might no longer qualify for coverage. So, she made a cold call to a couple of insurers, asking about a hypothetical client who was raped. Every insurer she called turned down the client, saying the rape was a 'pre-existing' condition, and they would not cover the expenses.

On October 20, Turner spoke at the National Women’s Law Center's launch of "Being a Woman Is Not a Pre-Existing Condition" campaign, sharing her story of survival. Many think Turner's case shows the inadequacy of American health care system, which US President Barack Obama is trying to amend.

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generaldecay

at 12:02 on October 21st, 2009

Victim-blaming takes on a whole new meaning with this one.

Thanks for the piece.

Kimberly Cain (not verified)

at 13:36 on October 21st, 2009

Thanks for posting this. Important to keep the fire on this health care thing fueled. It's the only way we'll come out of complacency & change it.I think "pre-existing" in insurance-land really means "existing". That way the term covers all things that exist in any form. The rape of our society is taking place at the, er... hands of the so-called insurers. They are consistent in insuring us that they will continue to take our money without any intention of returning any service to us.Let's stop fearing that we won't make it without them. Let's take care of ourselves & each other.

Barbara McPherson

at 08:51 on October 23rd, 2009

Perhaps it is the responsibility of her community to ensure that she is medically insured because that community failed to protect her when she was paying taxes for public safety. Oh, that would mean the community pays as a whole for their members, uh oh socialized medicine.