Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 7, 1994 TAG: 9408090006
SECTION: HORIZON PAGE: D5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Age: 36
Community: Raleigh Court, Roanoke
Occupation: Owns Framescapes, a framing and art store on Grandin Road
Insurance: None
Problem: Gil Moore is a recovering alcoholic. He has been sober for three years. But because of his disease, he has repeatedly been rejected by health insurance companies. Blue Cross and Blue Shield agreed to cover him, but only if he paid a $750 deductible and more than $150 per month in premiums.
He won't be eligible for a better policy until he has more sobriety, the company told him, but would not tell him how much more sobriety he needed, or how long he would have to wait. Moore can't remember when he last saw a doctor and said he never goes because he can't afford to.
He worries that if he wants to hire other people to work in his store, he won't be able to offer them health insurance because of his own uninsurability.
"It's going to be rough, because if I have to cover myself, it's going to cost me a fortune," he said.
How some reform bills could affect them:
HOUSE LEADERSHIP BILL: He could not be excluded for a pre-existing condition. Under community rating, he would pay the same amount for his insurance as a large or small group member.
SENATE LEADERSHIP BILL: He could not be excluded for a pre-existing condition. Under modified community rating, he would pay the same amount for his insurance as others his age.
SINGLE PAYER BILL: Excludes nobody. Coverage provided by the government.
What he'd like to see:
Socialized medicine, or some form of guaranteed health coverage for all. He also agrees with employer mandates.
"All I know is the present system isn't working," he said. "We're in trouble. If we don't do something, we're going to be in even bigger trouble than you ever realized."
Name: Gil Moore
Age: 36
Community: Raleigh Court, Roanoke
Occupation: Owns Framescapes, a framing and art store on Grandin Road
Insurance: None
Problem: Gil Moore is a recovering alcoholic. He has been sober for three years. But because of his disease, he has repeatedly been rejected by health insurance companies. Blue Cross and Blue Shield agreed to cover him, but only if he paid a $750 deductible and more than $150 per month in premiums.
He won't be eligible for a better policy until he has more sobriety, the company told him, but would not tell him how much more sobriety he needed, or how long he would have to wait. Moore can't remember when he last saw a doctor and said he never goes because he can't afford to.
He worries that if he wants to hire other people to work in his store, he won't be able to offer them health insurance because of his own uninsurability.
"It's going to be rough, because if I have to cover myself, it's going to cost me a fortune," he said.
How some reform bills could affect them:
HOUSE LEADERSHIP BILL: He could not be excluded for a pre-existing condition. Under community rating, he would pay the same amount for his insurance as a large or small group member.
SENATE LEADERSHIP BILL: He could not be excluded for a pre-existing condition. Under modified community rating, he would pay the same amount for his insurance as others his age.
SINGLE PAYER BILL: Excludes nobody. Coverage provided by the government.
What he'd like to see:
Socialized medicine, or some form of guaranteed health coverage for all. He also agrees with employer mandates.
"All I know is the present system isn't working," he said. "We're in trouble. If we don't do something, we're going to be in even bigger trouble than you ever realized."
by CNB