In eight states and the District of Columbia, victims of domestic violence can be denied health insurance coverage because they have a "pre-existing condition."

Yes, you read that correctly. Insurance companies are more interested in turning huge profits for their stockholders than in providing customers with safe, reliable health coverage. And some are willing to enact morally bankrupt policies to do it.

Insurance industry executives are headed to Capitol Hill this week to testify before Rep. Kucinich's subcommittee on domestic policy. Will you write a note to Congressman Kucinich and tell him to confront insurance company executives about classifying domestic violence as a pre-existing condition?

One in four women will experience some form of domestic violence in her lifetime. If she happens to be one of the nearly 13 million women who live in Idaho, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Wyoming or the District of Columbia, she can be denied insurance coverage for the rest of her life because of it.

The horror of domestic violence is already too much to bear without having to worry about being able to afford medical treatment.

Will you write Rep. Kucinich and tell him to demand an explanation from insurance executives?

As we learn more about the deplorable practices of the health insurance industry, the need for real, immediate reform becomes ever-more apparent. Congress stands on the brink of passing sweeping changes that would better regulate insurance companies and ensure transparency in their practices. Let's make sure it happens.

Tell Rep. Kucinich to hold health insurance companies accountable this week.