A Texas man with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) died before he could receive a breathing medication his lung specialist prescribed in June, after his pharmacy told him the order was held up by an insurance issue, according to KFF Health News. Kenney Blewett of Kyle, Texas, died by suicide on June 7, five days after the prescription was written, the outlet reported Oct. 2, citing his wife, Cindy.
Suicide rarely has a single cause, and no one can say what would have changed his outcome. But the unresolved prescription is a warning for older Americans who rely on Medicare for breathing treatments. A routine pharmacy message can leave a seriously ill patient and a caregiver without a clear answer, or a clear person responsible, during the days when treatment may matter most.
