I wrote about this in my personal blog. Since this will affect more than just my family I felt compelled to blog about it here as well.
As many of you know, Kyle was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes this January. What most of you don't know is I was unemployed that month and had no health coverage. We've been looking for coverage that will cover the family for over 2 months now. Guess what folks. We are ***-outta-luck. For instance, this is the response we got from Kaiser Permanente:
March 28, 2006
Re: Kyle Barrows
Reference Number: W4968220
Dear Mrs. Barrows:
Thank you for considering Kaiser Permanente for Individuals and Families for your health coverage.
Our medical underwriting process requires that we screen for pre-existing conditions. Based on the answers you provided on the membership application for Kyle Barrows, we are unable to offer you coverage for the following reason(s):
History of diabetes within the last 5 years.
Hospitalized 1 time in the past year
We have gotten the same verbal response from Blue Cross, Blue Shield and every other insurer we've contatced.
I hate to say it but health care is firmly in control of heartless bean counters. Diabetes is a life long disease and will be a "pre-existing condition" for the rest of Kyle's life. I could just sit here and *** but that is not productive. Instead, for anyone reading this, pass this along and let's all do something about it. Write a letter to your Congressman. Write a letter to the health care providers. Do something.
Now, to add to this mess, there is a bill on the hill to wipe out coverage for diabetes all together.
The U.S. Senate will soon vote on a bill that could leave millions of Americans with diabetes without insurance coverage for their diabetes needs. The bill, S. 1955, will pre-empt the 46 state laws, passed over the last decade with bi-partisan support, that require state-regulated health plans to cover diabetes education, equipment, and supplies. As American Diabetes Association volunteers, this legislation directly impacts our mission. We must join together and stop it.
Check out this link on the Diabetes web site! Get involved. Do something.