Hilary Swank sues SAG-AFTRA health plan after coverage is denied for ovarian cysts: ‘Barbaric’

Taryn RyderWriter, Yahoo EntertainmentSeptember 10, 2020, 12:31 PM EDT Hilary Swank

Hilary Swank is suing the SAG-AFTRA health plan after she was denied coverage for the treatment of ovarian cysts. The Oscar-winning actress spoke out about her decision, slamming the “antiquated” policies that view “the role of women’s organs solely as a means for procreation.”

“I’m truly exhausted by the way women’s ovarian and cyclical health issues continue to be treated by healthcare insurance companies,” the 46-year-old actress began. “I have experienced it in my own life, and I continually read about it across social media and in the press.”

Swank continued, “Their policies are antiquated, barbaric and primarily view the role of women’s organs solely as a means for procreation. My hope is to create change for all woman suffering from women’s health issues that have to battle with insurance companies who diminish the significance of their problems, don’t believe the patient (or their doctor’s) explanations surrounding their suffering, and severely preclude coverage to only incredibly limited services and procedures. It’s painful enough having to deal with the nature of a female health issue, let alone having to wrestle with the stress of trying to get your insurance company to provide the coverage and care that their contract explicitly states they offer.”

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs or pockets in an ovary or on its surface. According to the Mayo Clinic, a large ovarian cyst can cause pelvic pain a dull or sharp ache in the lower abdomen on the side of the cyst. According to Swank’s lawsuit, which was obtained by People, the board of trustees of the SAG-AFTRA health plan “stopped allowing Swank’s claims for treatment of ovarian cysts” in 2015. She was diagnosed with ovarian cysts in 2008, around the time her “left ovary was destroyed and removed during emergency surgery.”

Swank explained on Instagram she “decided to speak up” after “years of experiencing my own health issues and the ensuing denials from my healthcare company for services that are medically proven to preserve my life, and seeing how expensive this is to support without the help of an insurance company.”

“Based on what I learned, I know that most women can’t afford the medical treatments necessary to cover simple female health issues. I can only assume they either financially deplete their resources, or they forgo the treatments, quietly suffering in pain and risking their lives,” she continued. “ My hope is to be a voice for them.”

The Hunt star said the SAG-AFTRA health plan claims to “treat and protect all of their members equally” but she doesn’t “believe this is true.”

“If you’re a woman suffering from female health issues, I have no doubt you’ll agree with me. If you’re a man, ask your mother, your daughter, your sister, or a girl friend. I already know the answer,” she wrote. “It’s time we are treated fairly.”