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Nevada's sex workers embrace Obamacare

shadowcat

Atlanta suburb

MOUND HOUSE, Nev. (KRNV & MyNews4.com) - There have been a number of critics to the Affordable Care Act but the President's signature legislation is getting support from an unusual source; working girls at Nevada's legal brothels.

The girls at the Moonlight Bunny Ranch say they support the new legislation. Taylor Lee said; "Having this profession, we aren't exactly offered group health insurance. It's hard because I do have a pre-existing condition so I really support Obamacare. I'm excited."

Taylor Lee's pre-exisiting condition didn't help, but that wasn't the only reason she was denied health coverage prior to Obamacare. Before the new law she and the other girls who work at the Moonlight Bunny Ranch said getting health insurance was impossible because carriers refused to cover them because they worked in a legal brothel. Bella Dawn said; "I switched professions and I wrote it down and they denied it because of the profession I'm in." Caressa Kisses agrees adding; "They equate us to illegal working girls who have very high STD's and AIDS rates which we have none of the above. We're legal, licensed prostitutes.

The girls said it didn't matter to insurance carriers that Nevada's brothels are highly regulated. Kisses noted; "I see the doctor every week because it is state mandated. We're tested weekly and monthly for blood. We have to be cleared by health professionals and a physician to work in the house."

So the new law that allows everyone to obtain a health care plan is very welcome news. "I'm very excited about being able to get a health plan now because of Obamacare," said Amy Page. Kisses said health coverage is very much needed by working girls; "We're independent contractors. We have to get our own insurance but this is truly a blessing. I hope they work the kinks out and that affordable health care happens for all because it is really needed."

But raves for the Affordable Care Act stops with the girls. Brothel owner Dennis Hof is not a fan. He thinks coverage for the girls is good, but he is less than thrilled the new law lumps his seven small and separete businesses together that may require him to provide health care coverage. Hof said; " I have mixed feelings. I'm glad the girls are going to be able to get affordable healthcare coverage but as a businessman, I'm really concerned." Hof owns seven brothels, a strip club, restuarants and a truck stop. He says each has about 15 employees adding; "There's one common thread. I'm the sole stockholder but because I'm the owner for all these different businesses, they lump them together." He said; "What am I going to do? I'm either going to have to spend a lot of money on health insurance because the rates are going up or I'm going to have to face severe penalties, so I'm really perplexed about all of this."

Still Hof is keepin a sense of humor. He has extended the President an invitation to the Bunny Ranch. He joked that he is more than happy to supply the President with a webmaster, who can iron out the kinks on the Obamacare website.