The Shocking Reason This Young Man's Death Could Have Been Prevented – Don't Ignore the Deadly Cost of Prescription Hikes!
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In a world where we expect medical advancements to protect us, the tragic story of Cole Schmidtknecht, a 22-year-old from Appleton, Wisconsin, serves as a stark reminder of how the healthcare system can fail its patients. Cole's untimely death has sparked outrage and sorrow, highlighting the dire consequences of sudden prescription cost hikes that can turn a manageable condition into a death sentence.
Cole had been living with chronic asthma since childhood, a condition that many Australians can relate to, given that asthma affects around 2.7 million of us. For Cole, his asthma was a life-long battle, one that he had been able to keep under control with the help of a prescribed inhaler. However, on January 10, 2024, when he went to collect his prescription from a Walgreens pharmacy, he was confronted with a devastating reality: the price of his inhaler had skyrocketed from US$66 (A$106) to an exorbitant US$540 (A$872).
The reason for this price surge? A policy change by OptumRX, a pharmacy benefit manager, which led to Walgreens refusing to cover Cole's usual prescription under insurance. This left Cole in a dire situation, unable to afford the medication that he desperately needed. For five days, he struggled to breathe, relying on an emergency inhaler that was not designed for daily use.
The situation took a turn for the worse on January 15, 2024, when Cole suffered a fatal asthma attack. Despite the efforts of emergency responders, he was found unconscious and blue, and later pronounced dead. His family, faced with an unimaginable loss, made the heartbreaking decision to remove life support on January 21.
Now, Cole's family is seeking justice, launching a lawsuit against OptumRX, Walgreens, and Walgreens Boots Alliance for negligence and wrongful death. The lawsuit alleges that Cole was given no warning about the insurance coverage change, which is a violation of Wisconsin state law that requires a 30-day notice. Furthermore, it claims that the pharmacist failed to contact Cole's physician about alternative treatments or provide affordable options for his inhaler.
This case is not an isolated incident. It comes on the heels of a damning report revealing that UnitedHealth Group, the parent company of OptumRX, has been overcharging some cancer patients by over 1,000 percent for life-saving drugs. The Federal Trade Commission's findings have exposed a pattern of price gouging by the biggest pharmacy benefit managers, including OptumRx, Cigna's Express Scripts, and CVS Caremark Rx, which have collectively pocketed an extra US$7.3 billion (A$11.7 billion) over five years.
The story of Cole Schmidtknecht is a harrowing example of how the cost of prescription medication can have fatal consequences. It's a wake-up call for all of us to be vigilant about the medications we rely on and to advocate for fair pricing and transparency within the healthcare system.
For our senior community, this issue hits close to home. Many of us are on fixed incomes and rely on prescription medications for our well-being. It's crucial to stay informed about changes to insurance policies and to speak up if you notice a sudden increase in the cost of your medications. Always consult with your doctor or pharmacist about alternative options if the price of your prescription becomes unaffordable.
Cole's story is a tragic reminder that no one should have to choose between their health and their finances. As a community, we must support each other and push for a healthcare system that prioritises patients over profits. Let's honour Cole's memory by advocating for change and ensuring that no other family has to endure such a preventable loss.
We invite you to share your thoughts and experiences with prescription costs in the comments below. Have you or someone you know been affected by similar issues? How did you handle the situation? Your stories and insights can help others navigate these challenging circumstances and could contribute to a broader conversation about healthcare reform.
Cole had been living with chronic asthma since childhood, a condition that many Australians can relate to, given that asthma affects around 2.7 million of us. For Cole, his asthma was a life-long battle, one that he had been able to keep under control with the help of a prescribed inhaler. However, on January 10, 2024, when he went to collect his prescription from a Walgreens pharmacy, he was confronted with a devastating reality: the price of his inhaler had skyrocketed from US$66 (A$106) to an exorbitant US$540 (A$872).
Cole Schmidtknecht dealt with severe asthma since he was a kid, which needed a specific inhaler. Image Credit: Pexels/cottonbro studio
The reason for this price surge? A policy change by OptumRX, a pharmacy benefit manager, which led to Walgreens refusing to cover Cole's usual prescription under insurance. This left Cole in a dire situation, unable to afford the medication that he desperately needed. For five days, he struggled to breathe, relying on an emergency inhaler that was not designed for daily use.
The situation took a turn for the worse on January 15, 2024, when Cole suffered a fatal asthma attack. Despite the efforts of emergency responders, he was found unconscious and blue, and later pronounced dead. His family, faced with an unimaginable loss, made the heartbreaking decision to remove life support on January 21.
Now, Cole's family is seeking justice, launching a lawsuit against OptumRX, Walgreens, and Walgreens Boots Alliance for negligence and wrongful death. The lawsuit alleges that Cole was given no warning about the insurance coverage change, which is a violation of Wisconsin state law that requires a 30-day notice. Furthermore, it claims that the pharmacist failed to contact Cole's physician about alternative treatments or provide affordable options for his inhaler.
This case is not an isolated incident. It comes on the heels of a damning report revealing that UnitedHealth Group, the parent company of OptumRX, has been overcharging some cancer patients by over 1,000 percent for life-saving drugs. The Federal Trade Commission's findings have exposed a pattern of price gouging by the biggest pharmacy benefit managers, including OptumRx, Cigna's Express Scripts, and CVS Caremark Rx, which have collectively pocketed an extra US$7.3 billion (A$11.7 billion) over five years.
The story of Cole Schmidtknecht is a harrowing example of how the cost of prescription medication can have fatal consequences. It's a wake-up call for all of us to be vigilant about the medications we rely on and to advocate for fair pricing and transparency within the healthcare system.
For our senior community, this issue hits close to home. Many of us are on fixed incomes and rely on prescription medications for our well-being. It's crucial to stay informed about changes to insurance policies and to speak up if you notice a sudden increase in the cost of your medications. Always consult with your doctor or pharmacist about alternative options if the price of your prescription becomes unaffordable.
Cole's story is a tragic reminder that no one should have to choose between their health and their finances. As a community, we must support each other and push for a healthcare system that prioritises patients over profits. Let's honour Cole's memory by advocating for change and ensuring that no other family has to endure such a preventable loss.
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