Released: July 15, 2009

Organ donors risk denial of health insurance

Source: David Lazarus, Los Angeles Times (Free Registration)

Eight years ago, Los Angeles resident Patricia Abdullah decided to donate a kidney to an acquaintance. She calls it one of the proudest moments of her life.

Last year, Abdullah, 61, lost her job with a publishing company. With it, she lost her employer-based health insurance.

Now she wonders what will happen if she can’t find another job with group coverage. If she turns to the individual insurance market, will her act of compassion as an organ donor be perceived by insurers as a “preexisting condition,” resulting in higher premiums or even denial of coverage?

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