Newborn Twins Denied Coverage for Life-Saving Treatment by Insurance Company
Newborn twins, Eli and Easton Reed, were diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) after their birth on March 31, 2024. SMA is a group of hereditary diseases that can damage and kill specialized nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The twins’ prognosis is dire as their family’s insurance company has denied coverage for their vital treatment.
SMA affects motor neurons, which control movement in the body, including the arms, legs, face, chest, throat, and tongue. Without treatment, SMA patients rarely live beyond two years. However, a medication called Zolgensma offers hope for the twins.
In a desperate attempt to save their children’s lives, the Reed family turned to crowdfunding and raised $359,704 through GoFundMe for the twins’ life-saving treatment. The treatment included Zolgensma, but the insurance company stopped covering it just one day before the twins’ birth.
Although there is no complete cure for SMA, treatments such as medications and physical therapy can help manage symptoms and prevent complications. A blood test is available to identify SMA types and carriers by looking for mutations or deletions of the SMN1 gene.
Despite efforts to appeal the insurance company’s decision, the family remains unable to pay for the twins’ treatments. A fundraiser has been created to help raise money for the twins’ treatment after the insurance denial. Powerful individuals in Missouri are working tirelessly to ensure the twins receive the medication they need to survive.
