In which I complain about the state of health insurance in the US

I got a funny letter in the mail the other day. You see, the company that handles the prescription coverage part of my health insurance is "urging" me to fill my "maintenance medications" though their home delivery pharmacy. By "urging" I mean "they will charge an additional 10% of the prescription's copay if I don't start ordering from their pharmacy by April".

How the fuck is this legal? Jesus Christ, we have better consumer protections for car insurance than health insurance. It's quite the racket, isn't it? Order directly from us or we will charge you more out-of-pocket every time you need to refill your prescriptions that keep you healthy! The mafia should be proud.

This is just one more reason to support single payer health insurance. Sure, its just a minor inconvenience for me-- I just have to call to make sure that they're not going to do something that is actually illegal, like charge a copay for my birth control-- but it could be a major issue for someone else.

It's clear that private companies cannot be trusted not to fuck over consumers in any way that they can.

Good news, everyone!

 The CT Mirror: Abortion to be considered essential health benefit

While hundreds of Connecticut residents rallied in New Haven against abortion and federal requirements that religious organizations cover their employees' contraceptives, officials at the State Capitol complex took up a measure on whether the insurance everyone will have to purchase under the federal health law will cover the procedures.

The panel unanimously decided that abortion is an essential benefit, and it will be covered in the plan they select.

Assuming that the Supreme Court doesn't strike down the healthcare reform law*, in 2014 all Connecticut women will have a health plan that covers abortion services. All women.

My mind has been blown. CT is actively making abortion easier to access in a time when every other goddamn fucking state in the US is making pregnant women jump through humiliating hoops just to exercise  her rights over her own body.

Three cheers for Connecticut! 

(via Rock the Slut Vote and Addicting (ugh) Info)

*And if it is struck down, that would present a great opportunity to create a single-payer system, but that's probably asking too much of the Democrats.