Four Things that Are Going Wrong For Uninsured Pregnant Moms in the Middle
Posted by Advocate Aaron on June 12, 2009 · Leave a Comment
I have covered five things that are going right for Moms in the Middle, but there’s always two sides to every story. Despite our best efforts, the current economic downturn has forced more pregnant mothers to face the world without health insurance. It doesn’t seem like it is going to get any better anytime in the near future. There is bad news everywhere you turn. Five of the worst are in this article.
COBRA Subsidy
The stimulus package enacted by the president includes a subsidy of up to 65% of your COBRA . That sounds great, but with an average bill of $1200 a month, you would still owe $420 a month. For someone who is laid off that is nearly an impossible payment to make. So while the COBRA subsidy is a good idea, it is simply not enough.
Clinics and Charities Are Overloaded
Money is pouring into charities in much higher amounts than anyone expected given the current economy. That same money is going back out again faster than it comes in, for the same reason. More and more pregnant mothers are being laid off or just let go.
Clinics have seen an upswing in the number of doctors that donate their time, but even that increase can not stem the tide of new patients waiting for them every day.
HIPAA Is For Hypocrites
While the newest HIPAA laws offer very few women the chance at health care without a waiting period, there are enough loopholes that insurance companies get out of covering many pregnant women who get new jobs. You are doing better for yourself by landing a better job, but getting kicked for changing jobs to begin with. What gives?
Fewer Jobs
Fewer jobs means more pregnant women on the look for work. Many of the employers who are hiring do not want to bring on board an employee who is going to take an extended leave in less than a year. It’s discrimination, but it happens.
Being pregnant and out of work with no insurance is bad enough, but, to make it worse, it seems the chips are stacked against you. We must persevere!
