We all know by now that private insurers make their profits by denying people's claims when they get sick. But how about denying claims and refusing coverage to people who are perfectly healthy? They do that too, to the majority of population -- who are female. On yesterday's program, writer Sharon Lerner pointed it out that insurance companies routinely discriminate against women--healthy, pregnant, not pregnant women. When they provide coverage at all, they charge women more than men. According to recent studies, women pay up to 48% more in premiums than men. There's even a cutesy name for the practice. "Gender rating" the gougers call it. And in all but 12 states, it's legal. In addition to charging women more, private profit insurers offer less. A 2008 study found that just 12 percent of individual market plans include comprehensive maternity coverage. Like those family values? Insurance Companies denying maternity coverage call pregnancy a ?matter of choice.? And surgical deliveries ? They call caesarian sections "pre-existing conditions". It should be shameful but mostly it's not. Only 14 states require insurers to cover maternity care. Domestic violence -- insurance companies often deny coverage -- and mostly states look the other way. Don't like it? The good folks at RH Reality Check have a launched a campaign: BEING FEMALE IS NOT A PRE-EXISTING CONDITION. Thanks to SEIU and RH Reality Check for the data.

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