Baby Denied Health Coverage for Being “Obese”

News broke this week about a healthy but chubby 4-month old baby who was denied health coverage because, according to the health insurance company’s calculations, he’s “obese.”  The 17-pound infant, who is still breastfeeding, is in the 99th percentile for height and weight for his age.

The health plan that made this deplorable decision has already reversed course, thanks no doubt, to considerable national attention to the story.  But until health reform is passed, insurance companies will continue to turn down applicants for coverage based on pre-existing conditions.  If a healthy 4-month old baby can get turned down for having a pre-existing condition, it could happen to any of us (if you don’t have a pre-existing health condition today, you surely will someday).  Have you been denied for coverage due to a pre-existing condition? Let us know by adding a comment.

Fortunately, the commitment made by President Obama and the health reform bills passed by five congressional committees will prohibit insurers from denying or delaying coverage based on pre-existing conditions.