Christopher Cummins, 42, believes he contracted hepatitis C through
blood transfusions at birth. Last year, his insurance paid for a
$100,000 treatment that eradicated the virus.
Dee’s liver is scarred, but just a bit too healthy for her insurance to
foot the bill for the new medications that cure hepatitis C more than 90
percent of the time.
The Butler County resident, who suspects she got the virus getting a
tattoo, was recently told by her doctor to come back in a year.
John, a retired small-business owner from Washington County who was
given blood in the early 1990s, was also denied the antivirals. Now, as
he watches a friend grow weak from liver cancer, he fears he’s glimpsing
his future.
An appeal to a pharmaceutical company is Jennifer’s last shot at
treatment after the insurance company denied her three times. The
34-year-old office manager – who said she gave up her heroin habit nine
years ago – can barely make it through the workday because of fatigue.
Labels: access restrictions, paying for treatment, Personal Stories