Died Over $539: The Tragic Cost of American Healthcare

A 22-year-old man lost his life—not because his condition was untreatable, but because his inhaler’s price skyrocketed from $66 to $539 overnight.

🔹 Cole Schmidtnick worked full-time, had insurance, but couldn’t afford his asthma medication.
🔹 Insurance Denied Coverage – Walgreens told him his inhaler was no longer covered.
🔹 Negligence Lawsuit – Family sues OptumRx (UnitedHealth Group) & Walgreens for failing to provide alternatives or warning.
🔹 Healthcare System Failure – How many more people are forced to choose between rent and life-saving medication?

Only after his death did manufacturers agree to cap inhaler costs at $35. Too little, too late?

💔 How many more lives must be lost before real healthcare reform happens?