The unequal treatment of disabled people by health care plans: a human dignity disparity that must be wiped out

• Main Authors: Gustavo Nader Marta, Telma Aparecida Rostelato, Taís Nader Marta
• Format: Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo 2010-10-01
• Series: Revista da Faculdade de Ciências Médicas de Sorocaba
• Subjects: pessoas com deficiência; planos de pré-pagamento em saúde; cobertura de serviços privados de saúde; direitos humanos; equidade no acesso
• Online Access: http://revistas.pucsp.br/index.php/RFCMS/article/view/2768

ABSTRACT This article addresses the disparity disabled people face when in need of Health Care plans. The entire health care experience is different for them starting from the point that they have to state their disabling condition which is seen as a pre-existing disease, creating a waiting period before they can make proper use of the benefits. The fact that society, in general, is totally unaware of such condition has transformed it into a chronic disease, a social burden and a problem. The stigma of being disabled is outrageous, turning blind, deaf and mentally or physically impaired into both helpless and defenseless human beings entitled to no rights, always coming in last place in the order of things. These marked differences in health status have created demands which, as a consequence, reflect a prejudicial and disrespectful attitude towards these people who in no way whatsoever should be labeled as diseased, thus violating the principle of human dignity.