The day before, Sebelius sent the company a letter stating that she was "surprised and disappointed to read media accounts indicating that WellPoint routinely rescinds health insurance coverage from women recently diagnosed with breast cancer." The article also reported that WellPoint targeted pregnant women for rescissions. Sebelius urged WellPoint to end the practice, adding that such rescissions "will soon be illegal" under a provision in the federal health reform law (PL 111-148), which "specifically prohibits insurance companies from rescinding policies, except in cases of fraud or intentional misrepresentation of material fact" ( Women's Health Policy Report, 4/23).
In her response to Sebelius, Braly said she was "disappointed" to read Sebelius' letter. She added, "To be absolutely clear, WellPoint does not single out women with breast cancer for rescission. Period" ("Blog Briefing Room," The Hill, 4/24).
Braly also wrote, "Breast cancer is a devastating illness and should not be politicized." She requested a meeting with Sebelius to discuss the matter.
A Thomson Reuters spokesperson said Reuters stands by its story (Gershberg/Clark, Reuters, 4/23).
Reprinted with kind permission from nationalpartnership. You can view the entire Daily Women's Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women's Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company.
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Reuters Reports WellPoint Targets Breast Cancer Patients, Pregnant Women For Rescissions
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