Sick? Better check that morality clause in your insurance and make sure you weren't doing something that your provider "disapproves" of.
LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Insurance companies and HMOs would not have to provide health care benefits that conflict with the organization's moral or religious mission under legislation passed Wednesday by the state House.
The bill's passage was cheered by Right to Life of Michigan supporters, who were in the House chamber's balcony as the bills passed. The group was having a "legislative day" at the Capitol.
The legislation now goes to the Senate.
The House passed the bills by a 68-38 vote, with some Democrats joining the Republican majority in supporting the legislation.
Seems we have some "Lieberman Democrats" in the House.
Insurers could opt not to cover certain drugs or procedures if their objections are reflected in a mission statement or articles of incorporation. Insurers would be required to provide only those benefits already agreed to in a contract or other written policy.
Bet they are busy rewriting those policies as I type. Do we really want to put more power in the hands of the insurance companies to deny claims? Ever had to fight for them to pay a claim? I have, back when I had insurance. It's not fun.
Opponents of the legislation say it could weaken consumers' health care benefits, particularly women's access to birth control and other procedures related to reproduction such as abortion.
The legislation could become a more prominent factor if more religious-affiliated groups decide to self-insure or start HMOs in the future. Democrats said that could raise questions, for example, about how medical coverage for smoking-related illnesses would be covered by religious organizations that are opposed to smoking.
My guess is that these insurance companies will find a whole bunch of things they are opposed to besides smoking and women's reproductive choices. Let's see, right off hand there's drinking, obesity, any sort of sexual problem, children born out of wedlock, and if you're gay, well, just forget it. Don't even bother walking in the door.
Bottom line- more people left uncovered, who then will go to emergency rooms for expensive care, which in turn will drive up insurance rates for all, which will force more people to drop coverage because they can't afford it... and the cycle goes on. (see post below this one- I feel like a broken record)
More bad legislation from the MI House, which is obviously controlled by extreme right wing forces in this state. They don't serve the citizens of Michigan as a whole- they serve only the special interest groups. That should be pretty apparent by now.