Stacie Ritter Lost Everything. CIGNA CEO Ed Hanway Bought Another House.

October 01, 2009

AFSCME-backed Health Care for America Now (HCAN), the nation's largest health care campaign, launched the next phase in its ongoing "Sick of It" push for insurance accountability today, focusing on rich health insurance CEOs making millions and living in luxury while middle class families are struggling to pay medical bills, going bankrupt, and losing their homes.

HCAN is highlighting the story of Stacie Ritter, a hardworking mother of twins who lives in Pennsylvania. Stacie's daughters, now 11, were diagnosed with leukemia when they were 4. They both needed stem cell transplants and other cancer treatments. The twins survived, but the glands controlling their growth were damaged beyond repair from the treatment. To continue growing, they needed doctor-recommended growth-hormone injections regularly.

Stacie's husband's company switched to CIGNA health insurance, and CIGNA refused to cover the hormone shots. Each time Stacie takes her daughters to the doctor for the shots, it costs her $440. Between the cancer treatment and the denied care, Stacie and her husband had to file for bankruptcy. Meanwhile, Ed Hanway, the "hardworking" CEO of CIGNA makes $5,883 an hour, enough to cover 12 of the treatments Stacie's daughters need every hour.

Watch Stacie in her own words:

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