The Quisenberry Law Firm’s Attorney, Heather McKeon, and Client, Tarsha Harris, are Profiled in Michael Moore’s New Film, ‘Sicko’
June 15, 2007
Press Release
Los Angeles, CA. (June 15, 2007) – Michael Moore’s new movie, ‘Sicko,’ addresses problems with the healthcare system in the U.S., including an expose of insurance companies that cancel policies after claims are made. The film profiles several Americans whose lives have been affected by the insurance companies’ decisions to deny coverage–some have died due to a lack of treatment, some have gone into financial ruin, but others are fighting back. Tarsha Harris is profiled in the movie, and hers is a story of strength against the insurance industry. Lourdes DeArmas, an attorney with The Quisenberry Law Firm comments, “Tarsha is a strong woman fighting for what’s hers. She is fortunate that she has the strength. Many of the Americans featured in ‘Sicko’ were not as lucky as Tarsha. They didn’t receive the care they needed before the insurance company pulled the financial rug out from under them.”
Tarsha’s story began when she saw redness around her bellybutton after completing the Los Angeles Marathon. She saw a doctor and was diagnosed with a common yeast infection. She used a cream the doctor prescribed and the yeast infection resolved. No further treatment was recommended. Since she was unemployed and had no health insurance, she decided to apply for an individual policy with Blue Cross of California. She completed the application, was approved, and immediately began paying premiums. Soon after, Tarsha started bleeding from her navel. The doctors ordered surgery and Blue Cross approved the procedure. Only after the surgery were the doctors able to diagnose her with a rare disease: Spontaneous Endometriosis of the Umbilicus. After the surgery, Blue Cross rescinded Tarsha’a policy, pulling back the money it had paid on her behalf to the doctors and hospital. In one swift act of rescission, Blue Cross made Tarsha responsible for thousands of dollars of medical bills. Tarsha was sick, unemployed, and unable to pay the mounting bills. Blue Cross claimed Tarsha had made a material misrepresentation on her application because she should have disclosed her yeast infection. However, Tarsha made no misrepresentation on her application, answering every question honestly. Heather McKeon, Tarsha’s attorney featured in “Sicko,” says “I hear stories like Tarsha’s almost daily. The insurance companies must be held accountable for their actions of wrongfully cancelling policies to avoid paying claims.”
Tarsha’s savings are now gone, and she has incurred penalties for draining her 401(k). She set up payment plans with her doctors, paying some as little as $5 a month. Although Blue Cross refused to honor its debts, Tarsha refused to act in the same manner. However, finances are not Tarsha’s biggest problem. Of greater concern is that Blue Cross has made her uninsurable. “Once a policy has been rescinded, with the insurer basically saying ‘this insured lied on her application,’ the ability to obtain a private health plan is slim to none,” said attorney John Quisenberry, who has been fighting insurance companies for over 20 years. Although she can obtain coverage through a group policy, such as one offered by an employer, Tarsha can’t be sure that she will always work for a company offering a plan. In her lawsuit, she seeks to have the policy reinstated, thereby nullifying the insurer’s claim that Tarsha lied, and making Tarsha insurable under an individual policy.
Tarsha was relatively lucky. She received the medical treatment she needed, and with the help of friends and family, she has been able to gain her strength to move on, find a new job and put her life back together, albeit while swimming in a sea of costly medical bills. Tarsha knew what the insurance company did was wrong, so she decided to take action and searched for an attorney to fight back. She found The Quisenberry Law Firm, which is helping her fight Blue Cross to make sure the insurance company is not allowed to avoid paying the debts it owes. Tarsha’s case is still pending.
For more information contact:
Jennifer Reynolds
310-785-7966 x266
jreynolds@quislaw.com
