Sep 20, 2009

Life is a pre-existing condition

Among the things counted as "pre-existing conditions" by American insurance companies:
Health insurers have issued guidelines saying they could deny coverage to people suffering from such conditions as acne, hemorrhoids and bunions. One big insurer refused to issue individual policies to police officers and firefighters, along with people in other hazardous occupations. Some treated pregnancy or the intention to adopt as a reason for rejection.
Others routinely refuse the victims of domestic violence. Having experienced the bureaucratic delights of the American health system first hand, I sense a great absurdist play in there somewhere — something to do with life being a deadly disease and/or a pre-existing condition / bowl of minestroni, we are born astride the grave, etc, etc.

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