Stacie Ritter’s twin daughters were diagnosed with cancer at the age of four. They both needed stem cell transplants and other cancer treatments. The twins survived, but the glands controlling their growth were damaged beyond repair from the treatment. To continue growing, they needed doctor-recommended growth-hormone injections regularly. Stacie’s husband’s company switched to CIGNA health insurance, and CIGNA refused to cover the hormone shots. Each time Stacie takes her daughters to the doctor for the shots, it costs her $440. The incident marked just the latest chapter in the family’s ongoing troubles with the health insurance industry, between the cancer treatment and the denied care, Stacie and her husband had to file for bankruptcy due to their high medical expenses.
Source:
Amy Goodman “Mother Speaks Out on Insurance Giant CIGNA’s Denial of Healthcare to Cancer-Stricken Twin Daughters” October 1st 2009 http://www.democracynow.org/2009/10/1/mother_speaks_out_on_insurance_giant
Jason Rosenbaum “Stacie Ritter lost everything. CIGNA CEO Ed Hanway bought another house.” October 1st 2009
http://blog.healthcareforamericanow.org/2009/10/01/stacie-ritter-lost-everything-cigna-ceo-ed-hanway-bought-another-house/
Student Researchers: Delana Colvin, Shannon Cree, Anna Kung
Faculty Instructor: Kevin Howley, Associate Professor of Media Studies, DePauw University
Evaluator: Rebeca Bordt, Associate Professor of Sociology, DePauw University