Insurers

A few weeks ago, I expressed my delight at Google's decision to leave China in an article titled "Ideals of Humanity Should Over Rule." I didn't plan on making the title a recurring blog theme, but clearly, there are enough serious (and even irrational) issues that must be brought to the attention of my friends and anonymous readers. So today, I proclaim that the Ideals of Humanity Should Over Rule will be a recurring feature on my blog, which will continue to touch the more human side of life.

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There is no doubt the U.S. Health Care Reform (and Student Loans) Bill has created controversy in America, but last night I was watching "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" and found to my dismay American Health Insurance Companies trying to find loop holes that would allow them to deny coverage to sick children.

The original law states, "A health insurance issuer offering group individual health insurance coverage may not impose any preexisting condition exclusion with respect to such plan or coverage." Section 2704, Clause A. In other words, an Insurer can not use pre-existing conditions (maybe terminal cancer, etc.) to deny a child health care coverage. But guess what loophole they found? It doesn't say they can't deny coverage to the child.

The spirit of the law required insurance companies to provide health insurance to children, even if they already have diseases or conditions that might render them unprofitable to big firms, but because it does not state they must cover the child, they technically do not have to cover the entire child plus the illnesses. What a joke!

Now, as a proponent of capitalism, I can see where they are coming from, but as a proponent of human beings and life, I do not agree with what these Insurance Companies are trying to do. The burden that is faced in America when a family member is sick is enormous, something I can not empathize with since I am Canadian. But, as your friendly neighbour, I share the anger that most Americans feel regarding this loophole hunt.

It is not surprising to me to find companies trying to find loopholes. They want to preserve their profits, but individuals siding with Insurers ticks me off even more. I found this comment on a news article from the Huffington Post.

"But dems put in the loopholes not the insurance co... comedy for simpletons ... I guess" [Posted 02:18 PM on 4/06/2010]

Wow! Does this person get his rationale from O'Reilly or something? With that logic, if you asked me not to punch you in the face, and then I asked a friend to punch you, then it is really your fault. Clearly, the spirit of your request was to prevent injury to your visage, but of course, I found a loop hole. What a ridiculous sense of logic you carry. I agree that loopholes derive from poorly written rules or laws, especially if misinterpretation is prominent, but in a situation like this, how dare someone argue that a loophole exists.

Insurance was born under a common thread that participants all pool their money to assist their colleagues during times of disaster. Where are the "good hands" of the "good neighbour" that I see on television ads?

The enemy of your enemy is not always your friend. For anybody who supports what the Insurance Companies are doing, consider finding a family with a disabled child. See the uncertainty, the turmoil, the fear the family endures to keep their loved one alive and tell me that you still believe what the Insurers are doing is right.

To everyone including politicians, CEOs of Insurance Companies, Conservatives, Libearls, everyone: Do not be blinded by your political affiliations. Take a look at the situation and step back for a minute, realize that the debate you are about to raise includes the lives of thousands, maybe millions of individuals who need support more than you ever will.