• When it comes to children and health insurance, should size matter?

    One Colorado baby was denied coverage for being overweight. Another was denied for being too small. When it comes to children, should insurance companies be allowed to use size when deciding who gets coverage and who does not?

    Results with 161 short comments
    Total of 8,672 votes - click on the "Display Comments" bar below to sort comments

    3.9%
    Every case is different. Insurers should have discretion.
    341 votes
    31.1%
    No, a child has no say in how big or small he or she is.
    2,694 votes
    65%
    I think every American should have health coverage, regardless of their size or weight.
    5,637 votes
    Display Comments:
    No, a child has no say in how big or small he or she is.

    These are small children - the baby probably isn't mobile yet to lose the weight and the 2 yr old is probably very active burning calories!

    • 7 votes
    #1
     - sw1970
     - 10:00 am EDT on Wed Oct 21, 2009
    I think every American should have health coverage, regardless of their size or weight.

    Insurance companies have to much say in our medical care that is up to licensed trained physicans: Medical reviews done by RN is not Dr.

    • 4 votes
    #2
     - shewaltzes
     - 10:15 am EDT on Wed Oct 21, 2009
    I think every American should have health coverage, regardless of their size or weight.

    Children are helpless and should be guaranteed heath insurance. We should NEVER EVER punish parents by jeopardizing the health of a child.

    • 11 votes
    #3
     - misterstiles
     - 10:38 am EDT on Wed Oct 21, 2009
    I think every American should have health coverage, regardless of their size or weight.

    Insurers have every right to charge more for a child outside the norms, b/c they do present a greater risk, but should still cover them.

    • 1 vote
    #4
     - Katy-393385
     - 10:55 am EDT on Wed Oct 21, 2009
    I think every American should have health coverage, regardless of their size or weight.

    To discriminate because of size is tragic. We have become a society of haters and this is just one more added to the stupidity.

    • 8 votes
    #5
     - Debi-1002882
     - 11:04 am EDT on Wed Oct 21, 2009
    No, a child has no say in how big or small he or she is.

    This is the problem with labeling everything. When you make "low tone" a "condition" it's now ripe for labeling as "pre-existing."

    • 3 votes
    #6
     - Pitch-1424040
     - 11:17 am EDT on Wed Oct 21, 2009
    No, a child has no say in how big or small he or she is.

    We knew as soon as we saw the story it had to be United H.C. They deny EVERYTHING!

    • 6 votes
    #7
     - Riley-1424048
     - 11:21 am EDT on Wed Oct 21, 2009
    No, a child has no say in how big or small he or she is.

    Yet another reason for a strong Nat'l Health Plan. What if you are a Small Person (Midget); is it then descrimination?

    • 12 votes
    #8
     - Ruth-1144236
     - 11:27 am EDT on Wed Oct 21, 2009
    I think every American should have health coverage, regardless of their size or weight.

    I am a single 50 yr.gentelman and enjoy all ltttle people (kids). I have never had a news story get me so freaken mad. HEALTH REFORM NOW !

    • 10 votes
    #9
     - fiskit
     - 11:30 am EDT on Wed Oct 21, 2009
    I think every American should have health coverage, regardless of their size or weight.

    This is ridiculous that a child is being denied health coverage because of their size, especially a toddler.

    • 9 votes
    #10
     - knschmitz
     - 11:34 am EDT on Wed Oct 21, 2009
    I think every American should have health coverage, regardless of their size or weight.

    Wow. Insurance companies don't help their case much.

    • 10 votes
    #11
     - Skipper1
     - 11:43 am EDT on Wed Oct 21, 2009
    No, a child has no say in how big or small he or she is.

    if they are willing to insure the parents, insuring the dependents should be automatic.

    • 9 votes
    #12
     - Steve-in-greenlawn
     - 11:43 am EDT on Wed Oct 21, 2009
    I think every American should have health coverage, regardless of their size or weight.

    This is why the government needs to step in - this has to stop.

    • 10 votes
    #13
     - Z80man
     - 11:47 am EDT on Wed Oct 21, 2009
    Every case is different. Insurers should have discretion.

    This just underscores the need for TOTAL reform, and Universal coverage. Insurers shouldn't be able to exclude ANYONE.

    • 12 votes
    #14
     - ColoMtnWoman
     - 11:59 am EDT on Wed Oct 21, 2009
    No, a child has no say in how big or small he or she is.

    The insurance company is cutting their own throat on this one. But I don't throw in with nationalized health coverage either.

    • 3 votes
    #15
     - Rick - Ironmtn6
     - 12:00 pm EDT on Wed Oct 21, 2009
    No, a child has no say in how big or small he or she is.

    There are some serious issues regarding body image as kids grow up. What's the message when adults are already sizeing them up?

    • 5 votes
    #16
     - divashadow
     - 12:05 pm EDT on Wed Oct 21, 2009
    I think every American should have health coverage, regardless of their size or weight.

    It's crazy to me that they would deny anyone. I don't care about pre-existing condition, size, gender, age, or what!

    • 5 votes
    #17
     - 12:06 pm EDT on Wed Oct 21, 2009
    I think every American should have health coverage, regardless of their size or weight.

    This is why we need a public option. Health insurance carriers are corrupt.

    • 12 votes
    #18
     - azjack
     - 12:10 pm EDT on Wed Oct 21, 2009
    No, a child has no say in how big or small he or she is.

    What happened to EVERY child getting health care.

    • 6 votes
    #19
     - Nickel1965
     - 12:25 pm EDT on Wed Oct 21, 2009
    I think every American should have health coverage, regardless of their size or weight.

    A single-payer health care system would stop all of this nonsense and criminality. Contact your senator or representative TODAY!

    • 3 votes
    #20
     - Annapalooza
     - 12:29 pm EDT on Wed Oct 21, 2009
    I think every American should have health coverage, regardless of their size or weight.

    I am very curious about the ' Insurers should have discretion' voters here. Who are you working for and how much Insurace Stock do you have

    • 3 votes
    #21
     - MOS18A
     - 12:38 pm EDT on Wed Oct 21, 2009
    I think every American should have health coverage, regardless of their size or weight.

    This is what we have come to. We are turning out backs on children! Health insurance companies and their inhumane policies have got to go!

    • 4 votes
    #22
     - Blue Star
     - 12:39 pm EDT on Wed Oct 21, 2009
    I think every American should have health coverage, regardless of their size or weight.

    And if the government wants to provide an alternative insurance, they should cover any person rejected by other companies, no matter why.

    • 4 votes
    #23
     - Proofreader 1
     - 12:44 pm EDT on Wed Oct 21, 2009
    Every case is different. Insurers should have discretion.

    Perhaps if you were allowed by government to have access to insurance companies across state lines, they would find another cheaper insurer

    • 3 votes
    #24
     - lindeg
     - 12:44 pm EDT on Wed Oct 21, 2009
    I think every American should have health coverage, regardless of their size or weight.

    The insurance business practices of today are immoral. The days of making profits off human pain should be over NOW.

    • 3 votes
    #25
     - Katie-1193583
     - 12:46 pm EDT on Wed Oct 21, 2009

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