Wisconsin couple sues Walgreens, Optum Rx, saying son died after sudden $500 price spike for asthma meds
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A Wisconsin couple is suing Walgreens and a pharmacy benefits management company, alleging that their son died because he couldn't afford a sudden $500 spike in his asthma medication. Shanon and William Schmidtknecht, of Poynette, filed their lawsuit in federal court in Milwaukee on Jan. 21, a year to the day that their son Cole died at age 22. According to the lawsuit, Cole Schmidtknecht suffered from asthma all his life.
AI Summary
Main Idea: A Wisconsin couple is suing Optum Rx and Walgreens, saying a sudden jump in the price of their son Cole Schmidtknecht’s asthma medicine helped lead to his death.
Key Points:
- The lawsuit says Cole Schmidtknecht was told his usual inhaler would cost $539, up from $66, and he left without buying it.
- His parents say he could not afford the new price and later died from a fatal asthma attack.
- The family says Optum Rx broke Wisconsin law by raising the cost without a valid medical reason and without giving enough notice.
- They also say Walgreens staff did not help find cheaper options or ask for an exception on his behalf.
Impact on the People
Negative Impact
Sudden drug price spikes can leave patients unable to afford vital medicine, raising the risk of severe illness or death.
Positive Impact
The lawsuit could push pharmacy companies and insurers to give clearer warnings and more affordable options for patients.
How did each entity affect people?
Rate how each entity in this article affected the American people.
- Primary:Cole Schmidtknechtperson
- Primary:Optum Rxcompany
Candidate Entities7 candidates · 5 weighted vote min · 70% decision
- Cole SchmidtknechtpersonPrimaryEvaluated
The deceased son at the center of the article and lawsuit.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Optum RxcompanyPrimaryEvaluated
Major company accused of causing the price spike and failing to provide required notice.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Shanon SchmidtknechtpersonMajorAI selected
Named plaintiff and parent speaking on behalf of the family in the lawsuit.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - William SchmidtknechtpersonMajorAI selected
Named plaintiff and parent involved in the lawsuit over their son’s death.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - WisconsinstateMajorAI selected
State whose law is cited in the lawsuit and where the family’s case is filed.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - MilwaukeecityMinorCandidate
Location of the federal court where the lawsuit was filed.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - PoynettecityMinorCandidate
Hometown of the Schmidtknecht family, included as background location.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold
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