State Senator/Doctor On Stafford Family's Medical Struggle: 'Choose Healthcare Over Business'

STAFFORD, CT — A Stafford family's struggle to pay for medical expenses amid the need for a complicated transplant procedure had drawn the ire of a Connecticut state senator — who also happens to be a physician.

State Sen. Jeff Gordon (R-35th District) Thursday said the case of Justin Oswell is not a bandwagon-jumping political issue during an election year, but rather a genuine concern.

Gordon is a specialist in cancer and blood treatment.

"I'm more a doctor than a senator, but maybe I can have some leverage as a senator," Gordon told Patch Thursday.

The issue at hand, both the Oswells and Gordon say, is a denial on the part of the family's insurance carrier.

"It's Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield's denial of coverage for a medically necessary transplant for a Stafford Springs resident," Gordon said.

In essence, Justin Oswell needs a three-way transplant to get completely healthy again. The procedures are part of a multivisceral transplant, meaning he will receive a liver, pancreas, and intestinal transplant all at once, and all of the organs must come from a single donor.

"It makes this an extremely rare, high risk, and complex surgery," the family said.

The family has set up treatment through the Cleveland Clinic, but says insurance is just not cutting it in. terms of financing.

"As a doctor, I deal with this crap all the time," Gordon said, while adding he is pulling no punches on his emotions. "I've dealt with this for thirty-something years and it's getting worse. I understand insurance companies are businesses, but we also want to take care of people."

Gordon continued, "Justin and his family are fighting for his life. His transplant team at the Cleveland Clinic has determined that a transplant is his only option, yet Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has denied coverage for the procedure twice. While his physicians have deemed this procedure life-saving, the insurance company continues to stand in the way. That is wrong.

"I have spoken with Justin's family and offered my full support. I will be pressing Anthem to reverse this decision, and I will work to bring public attention to this case because no family should have to fight an insurance company while fighting to save the life of a loved one.

"Justin's story reflects a much larger problem. As both a doctor and a state senator, I have fought to put patients before profits by leading reforms to Connecticut's Certificate of Need process, authoring the Patients Over Profits Act, and working to stop insurance companies from delaying or denying medically necessary care. We have made important progress in Connecticut, but there is more work to do.

"Healthcare decisions should be made by doctors and patients, not by insurance companies. I stand with Justin and his family, and I urge Anthem to approve the care his physicians have determined he needs without further delay."

Meanwhile, a contribution goal, through GoFundMe, is $100,000. As of Thursday afternoon, a total of $40,000 had been pledged. Donation commitments totaled 389.

"We are deeply grateful for any kindness you can offer — whether it’s words of encouragement, a donation, or simply sharing this with others who may want to help. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the love, support, and hope you’ve already shown our family. We couldn't do this without all of you," the family has said.

Click here to see the donation page and to contribute.