Nataline Sarkisyan, an innocent 17-year-old, died at a children's hospital last Thursday. Cigna, her insurance company, had approved of a liver transplant, but once Nataline had complications from a bone marrow transplant the insurer got cold feet and denied the claim, stating it was "experimental" despite receiving a letter from four doctors at Nataline's hospital which stated that not only was this not experimental, but that the liver transplant was needed to save her life.
Cigna reversed its decision last Thursday and granted the transplant, but unfortunately it was too late and Nataline died hours after the procedure was approved.
This has been one of the hardest things for me to deal with. I spoke with a very nice man in the public relations department at Cigna last Thursday afternoon on Nataline's behalf. I was one of hundreds who called and took the streets to demand that her insurance company pay this valid claim.
More eloquent folks than me have spoken out on this subject, and for anyone reading this one, lonely blog bobbing up and down on the waves of the information highway, I want you to hear them directly. Below are some YouTubes and links to articles and diaries explaining the background of this injustice and why it needs to be corrected.
CBS News:
nyceve's diary on Daily Kos regarding an email she received from a transplant surgeon, indicating a potential industry-wide practice of delay, delay, deny: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/12/22/131010/84/561/425556
Presidential candidate John Edwards "visibly angered" over this injustice: http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2007/12/21/politics/fromtheroad/entry3641451.shtml
Videos from Nataline's brother and someone who was close to her (the second one taken at a birthday party for one of Nataline's friends):
The YouTube entry to this one simply states: "...This is the only video i have of Nataline in it. Rest In Peace now Beautiful Angel..."
Rest in peace, Nataline. We will remember you.
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