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Join today<\/a><\/p>\n \n Already a member? Your support helps us to tell the story<\/p>\n From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.<\/p>\n At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.<\/p>\n The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.<\/p>\n Your support makes all the difference.Read more<\/p>\n A Texas<\/a> man died by suicide<\/a> in June after reportedly suffering delays in getting access to crucial medication<\/a>.<\/p>\n Kenney Blewett, of Kyle, Texas, was experiencing breathing issues caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease<\/a>, KFF Health News<\/a> reported Friday, a condition affecting 16 million Americans that was tied to Kenney\u2019s decades of smoking. <\/p>\n He had recently lost 45 pounds and had rarely left the house, experiencing more and more frequent flare-ups earlier this year, his wife Cindy Blewett recalled.<\/p>\n His doctor wrote him a prescription for a new inhaled medication to improve his breathing, but the prescription wasn\u2019t filled immediately and he received an email from Walgreens explaining that there was an \u201cinsurance issue\u201d causing the delay.<\/p>\n “He was hopeful that it would work,” Cindy told KFF Health News. “I wish we had the chance to find out.”<\/p>\n Kenney had previously attempted suicide years ago and had struggled with his mental health for a long time, she noted. He wrote in a note that his health was too poor to continue living.<\/p>\n But Cindy said she wonders whether Kenney would still be alive if his flare-up on June 7 had been prevented, adding that she still has questions about the medication delay.<\/p>\n When she called Walgreens, an employee reportedly told her the prescription needed \u201cprior authorization,\u201d a rule that requires medical providers to get permission from health insurance companies before receiving treatment.<\/p>\n Still, it was unclear to Cindy which insurer needed prior authorization.<\/p>\n Kenney had been on Medicare, the federal health insurance program for seniors and people with disabilities. He had an optional Part D plan, which helps people pay for drugs through pre-approved private insurers. He also had a Medigap plan that paid for other out-of-pocket costs.<\/p>\n The Part D plan was using Wellcare Value Script and the Medigap plan was through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas.<\/p>\n The drug was reportedly covered through Part B \u2013 but the government apparently had no record of the prescription being billed.<\/p>\n A spokesperson for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas told The Independent on Friday that the company does not discuss the specifics of member inquiries.<\/p>\n \u201cBlue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas is committed to expanding access to quality, cost effective care at all stages of life,\u201d the insurer said.<\/p>\n The Independent has also reached out to Cindy Blewett, Walgreens, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and Wellcare Value Script\u2019s parent company Centene for comment on the report.<\/p>\n The Blewetts\u2019 story may sound familiar to many Americans who have experienced insurance delays<\/a>.<\/p>\n A West Virginia father died of cancer in September 2025 after his health insurance coverage for a possible treatment was reportedly delayed, KFF Health News<\/a> reported last year.<\/p>\n Nearly 70 percent of adults deemed them “a major problem,” in a January poll<\/a> from non-profit KFF<\/a>.<\/p>\n Health insurers pledged<\/a> to overhaul prior authorization in June 2025 \u2013 less than a year before Blewett\u2019s death.<\/p>\n It\u2019s unclear how much improvement has been made since then \u2013<\/a> though insurance provider United Healthcare said<\/a> it would eliminate 30 percent of prior authorization requirements starting Thursday.<\/p>\n Companies have made progress but still need to do more, Chris Klomp, who oversees Medicare for the Trump administration, told The New York Times<\/a> in May.<\/p>\n
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A Texas man allegedly took his own life shortly after being denied access to medication that would help him breathe better (Getty)<\/p>\n![\"Director](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/GettyImages-2276442518.jpeg\")
Director of the Center for Medicare Chris Klomp says health insurers have made progress to overhaul prior authorization \u2013 but that more still needs to be done (AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n