Message of the Week September 7, 2010: Using Personal Stories
Personal Story: Bekky (pre-existing condition)
Third person voice:
"Last year Bekky was diagnosed with breast cancer. Following three months of treatment, she returned to work to learn her employer, struggling in this economy, had to drop her coverage. Since then, she's been turned down by 13 insurance companies—her cancer had become a pre-existing condition. Now she's $29,000 in medical debt and scared.
"The new health law provides a different future for Bekky. Insurers can no longer discriminate against her because she was diagnosed with cancer—denials due to pre-existing conditions are against the law. As a small business owner, Bekky's employer now receives a tax credit helping him afford coverage for his employees. And with the law saying no to lifetime limits, Bekky can turn her full attention to staying healthy and not worrying about bankruptcy."
Elements of reform addressed in this personal story include:
- insurers can no longer discriminate due to a pre-existing condition,
- you can't lose your coverage when you get sick and need it the most,
- no more lifetime limits,
- small business owners receive tax credits to help them afford coverage for their employees.
This story would be even more effective if Bekky were sharing it:
First person voice:
"My name is Bekky. Last year I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Following three months of treatment, I returned to work to learn that my employer, struggling in this economy, had to drop my coverage. Since then, I've been turned down by 13 insurance companies—cancer is not only a disease but also a pre-existing condition. Today I'm $29,000 in medical debt. If cancer wasn't scary enough, I'm also worrying about paying off this debt while watching my bills mount. I can't tell you what a relief this new health law is—it's a great start at helping people and families. Insurers will no longer be able to discriminate against us for having cancer—denials due to pre-existing conditions are against the law. Small business owners are receiving tax credits to help them afford coverage for their employees. And with the law saying no more lifetime limits, I can finally turn my full attention to staying healthy and not worrying about going bankrupt."
Personal Story: Nathan (annual and lifetime limits)
"Nathan's son, Thomas, was born with hemophilia. At the time, Nathan and his family had great insurance through the high tech telecommunications company that he helped start. He felt very fortunate, but his sense of well-being was short lived. The insurance company raised the price for the entire group of 100-150 employees to compensate for the costs associated with Thomas's treatments. After searching in vain for other insurers to cover the company, Thomas exceeded the $1 million cap on coverage. Nathan wasn't sure what to do. One social worker suggested that he and his wife get a divorce so that Thomas could qualify for Medicaid.
"The new health care law bans lifetime and annual limits. Because of the law people like Nathan can rest assured that if they pay for insurance coverage, it will be there for them when they need it most – so they can focus on their family's health and not their medical bills."
Elements of reform addressed in this personal story include:
- Law bans lifetime and annual limits
- Law bans pre-existing conditions
Personal Story: David (recissions)
"David lives and works in Arkansas. He was covered under his employee plan for a year before the insurance company went back in his record and cancelled his plan retroactively. The company claimed that David didn't disclose all of his medical history on his original form. Unfortunately for David, he had no idea hemorrhoids fell under the category 'digestive disorders.' They also cited no mention of his high triglycerides and high cholesterol, which David didn't even know he had. He appealed the decision. Four months later, he got a letter from the insurance company saying "it is irrelevant whether or not you intentionally or inadvertently failed to reveal all of your previous medical history." His appeal was denied.
"Under the new law, it is illegal for health insurance companies to take coverage away from people like David who play by the rules, pay all of their premiums, and just want their insurance to be there for them when they need it. The new law includes tough and fair regulations to protect us from the worst insurance company abuses of the past."
Elements of reform addressed in this personal story include:
- Law makes it illegal for health insurance companies to take away your coverage
- Law has tough and fair regulations to protect the public from insurance abuses
More personal stories, including a story about a small business owner and about prevention, are available on our Web site.
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