In a heartbreaking turn of events, 22-year-old Cole Schmidtknecht lost his life after being unable to afford his life-saving inhaler due to a shocking price hike. Cole, who had battled chronic asthma since childhood, visited a Walgreens pharmacy in Appleton, Wisconsin, on January 10, 2024, expecting to pick up his usual prescription. Instead, he was met with the devastating news that his medication, which previously cost $66.86, would now set him back an astonishing $539.19. This sudden increase was the result of a policy change by OptumRx, which had led Walgreens to stop covering his inhaler under insurance. Left without the means to pay for his medication, Cole exited the pharmacy empty-handed, unaware of the tragic consequences that lay ahead.
For the next five agonizing days, Cole struggled to breathe, relying on an outdated emergency inhaler that provided only limited relief. On January 15, 2024, his battle came to a tragic climax when he suffered a severe asthma attack that he could not survive. Emergency responders found him unconscious and turning blue, and despite their efforts, doctors were unable to revive him. His family faced the unimaginable decision to remove him from life support on January 21, after being informed that there was no chance of recovery. Cole’s untimely death has left his loved ones devastated and determined to seek justice for the systemic failures that led to this tragedy.
In response to their loss, Cole’s family has initiated legal action against OptumRx, Walgreens, and Walgreens Boots Alliance, citing negligence and wrongful death. They argue that Cole was not adequately informed about the insurance changes, which violates Wisconsin law requiring a 30-day notice for such adjustments. The lawsuit also claims that the pharmacist failed to reach out to Cole’s doctor for alternative treatment options, leaving him without any affordable means to obtain his essential medication. This negligence is particularly poignant given that Cole was left to rely solely on his old emergency inhaler, which was not designed for daily use, leading to his repeated struggles to breathe.
This tragic case comes amid broader concerns about the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in light of a recent Federal Trade Commission report revealing that major pharmacy benefit managers, including OptumRx, have been overcharging patients for critical medications. The report highlighted how these companies have profited billions through inflated drug prices, exacerbating the struggles of patients like Cole. As the legal proceedings unfold under U.S. District Judge Byron Browning Conway, the Schmidtknecht family hopes to shine a light on the systemic issues that allowed such a tragedy to occur, advocating for changes that could prevent similar heartbreaks in the future. Cole’s story serves as a stark reminder of the dire consequences of a healthcare system that often prioritizes profit over patient care.
