WASHINGTON - We've heard of people being dropped by their health insurance companies because of pre-existing conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol or chronic back pain, but what about rape?

Christina Turner says that happened to her, adding insult to injury. She's sharing her painful story so other women would know it could also happen to them.

Turner's nightmare began during a business trip to Ft. Lauderdale when she accepted a drink from a man at a bar. The next thing she remembers is waking up on the side of the road, bruised and bloody. Her doctor said she'd been drugged and raped.

"We had no idea how many assaulters I had. We didn't know if they used a condom," shared Turner.

Just to be sure, her doctor put her on a month-supply of expensive anti-HIV/AIDS medication. When she submitted her claim for reimbursement she said, "I get a letter that says my coverage has been terminated."

Already battered and beaten, this news from her insurance company was another blow to Turner.

"And I know for a fact it's because they thought I had AIDS," said Turner.

To make matters worse, she couldn't find another insurance company to take her on. All said she first needed to be AIDS free for at least two to three years.

"They wanted me to be quiet," said Turner. "It's like, 'We're really sorry but this is the way it is.'"

According to the president of the National Women's Law Center, that's the "way it is" for many women, including women who have had sexually transmitted diseases, for example, or are victims of domestic violence.

"It really does add insult to injury to think of the abuse that a woman would have to suffer and when she goes to get the health care she needs, she's then told by her insurance company that they will neither cover it, or her in the future," said President of the National Women's Law Center Marcia Greenberger.

It's been seven years, and Turner is now married and on her husband's health plan. She also counsels rape victims who she hopes won't become victims of their insurance companies.

"Everybody needs to get an equal shot. Everybody," she said.

We went to America's Health Insurance Plans, which represents about 1300 companies that provide health insurance to more than 200 million Americans. A spokesperson told us insurance companies won't deny someone a policy because they'd been raped. They do, however, make decisions based on medical conditions and treatment, which was exactly what Christina Turner said happened to her.

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