The Artvoice reported today that Blue Shield California twice refused to pay $2,700 emergency room claims by Rosalinda Miran-Ramirez, concluding that it was not a “reasonable” decision for her to go to the emergency room that morning when she awoke to a shirt saturated from blood with what turned out to be a breast tumor. Only after KPIX-TV reported the story did the insurance company pay the claim. Further, it reported that the National Women’s Law Center found that the laws of eight states permit insurance companies to deny health coverage to a battered spouse (as a “pre-existing condition”) since batterers tend to be recidivists.

New Addiction Promoted
Expect to see more news about e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes are nicotine delivery devices. Manufacturers bill them as an alternative to cigarettes where cigarette smoking is prohibited. They are also advertised as devices for those trying to quit smoking.