Insurers Drop Rape Victims Who Take HIV Meds

Sexual assault victims prescribed precautionary HIV/AIDS meds risk being denied health insurance—because they have a pre-existing condition. The vast majority never develop the disease, but many have lost their insurance altogether, the Huffington Post reports. Others have been denied mental health care for PTSD that arose after they were assaulted (see video).

A spokesman for the main industry trade group says insurers don’t discriminate against sexual assault victims, but that anyone taking HIV drugs is considered “in treatment for HIV, period,” and may be denied coverage. Frustrated doctors say that’s not medically sound. “What are we supposed to tell women now?" said one nurse "Well, I guess you have a choice—you can risk your health insurance or you can risk AIDS. Go ahead and choose.” (More rape stories.)