A very important decision came down from the Supreme Court yesterday. The case involved a woman who became disabled while working for Sears. The insurance company at first paid her benefits but two years later decided to “reevaluate” whether or not the woman, Wanda Glenn, was still disabled. A doctor said in one appointment that she would be able to do some sedentary work, but he decided shortly thereafter that he had made a mistake and that work of any kind would be of high risk to her health. The insurance company though, Metlife, continued to deny her benefits despite the opinions of her physician. The case went to the Supreme Court though and yesterday the opinion came down that there was a conflict of interest because the insurance company was both deciding whether insurance claims were legitimate and paying the benefits. Glenn was supported by the AARP and the Supreme Court sided with her. What a great victory against the insurance company. Frankly, I think the fact that insurance companies are for-profit companies is absolutely ludicrous. How completely unethical to profit off of other people’s health issues. You can read the full story on the case here.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is an international treaty that is getting ready to celebrate its one year anniversary on March 30.  So far the Convention has had some wonderful success, gaining 125 signatories to the Convention, 71 to the Optional Protocol, 17 ratifications of the Convention, and 11 ratifications on the Optional Protocol.  After just a year, that is certainly progress, though there is a long way to go.  The United States is not among the countries that have ratified.

This is a really important treaty for people with disabilities.  I encourage you to learn more about it; here is the UN page on the Convention.