Young man’s tragic death after inhaler incident explained.
A Wisconsin family is mourning the tragic and preventable death of 22-year-old Cole Schmidtknecht, who died after being unable to afford his life-saving inhaler.
Inhaler price spike exposed.
Cole, who had suffered from chronic asthma since childhood, was a regular user of the prescription inhaler that helped control his condition.
That changed in late 2023 when his pharmacy benefits manager, OptumRx, made policy adjustments that removed coverage for his specific prescription.
The next time Cole went to refill his inhaler at Walgreens, he was told it would now cost an eye-watering $539.
Stunned and unable to afford such a steep increase, Cole left the store without his medication.
For the next five days, he relied on an older emergency inhaler, rationing its use as he struggled to breathe.
The inhaler he needed was a preventative one—without it, his condition worsened rapidly.
Cole’s death profiled.
On January 15, 2024, Cole suffered a severe asthma attack that left him gasping for air.
His family called for help, but by the time paramedics arrived, Cole was already unconscious and turning blue.
Despite medical intervention, the damage was too severe, and he was placed on life support.
After six painful days in the hospital, his parents made the heartbreaking decision to remove life support on January 21.
Their grief quickly turned to outrage as they learned the full extent of how their son had been denied proper care.
The price of inhalers debated.
The price of inhalers in America has long been a subject of controversy, with costs soaring to hundreds of dollars despite their necessity for millions.
Many pharmaceutical companies set their own prices, making it difficult for patients without insurance or financial assistance to obtain life-saving medications.
Even those with insurance can suddenly face drastic cost increases when policies change—often with little to no warning.
Meanwhile, major pharmacy benefit managers, like OptumRx, CVS Caremark, and Express Scripts, have been accused of price gouging essential medications.
A recent Federal Trade Commission report revealed that these companies have pocketed billions in profits from unnecessary markups on vital drugs.
Family’s lawsuit detailed.
According to Wisconsin law, insurance companies must provide at least 30 days’ notice before cutting coverage of a necessary prescription.
Cole never received any such warning, meaning he had no chance to prepare for the drastic price hike.
Additionally, his pharmacist failed to offer alternative options, such as generics or manufacturer discounts, which could have made the inhaler more affordable.
Furious over what they see as corporate negligence, Cole’s family has now launched a lawsuit against OptumRx, Walgreens, and Walgreens Boots Alliance.
They are suing for wrongful death, arguing that the policy change and lack of notification directly led to their son’s preventable demise.
The case has sparked nationwide outrage, with many pointing to it as yet another example of the broken U.S. healthcare system.
UnitedHealthcare scandal recalled.
The lawsuit against OptumRx comes just months after another major scandal rocked the health insurance industry.
In December 2023, UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot in Manhattan, allegedly by a former Ivy League graduate enraged over similar insurance practices.
The killing sent shockwaves through the industry and temporarily affected UnitedHealthcare’s stock prices, though the company has since rebounded.
UnitedHealth Group, the parent company of OptumRx, has reported billions in profits despite mounting criticism over its pricing strategies.
The lawsuit continues.
Cole’s family is determined to hold the companies accountable, hoping their lawsuit will set a precedent and prevent future tragedies.
They believe that no one should have to choose between financial stability and the medication they need to stay alive.
As the legal battle unfolds, Cole’s case is shining a harsh light on the inaccessibility of life-saving drugs in America.
His parents are now calling for reform, urging lawmakers to intervene before another life is needlessly lost.