Asthma isn't often thought of as a critical condition; but for many, access to medication for it is life-saving.

In 2024, Cole Schmidtknecht's insurance denied his steroid inhaler.  Shortly after, he suffered cardiac arrest induced by a severe asthma attack, and passed away following an ICU stay – just eleven days after he had to choose between paying his rent and picking up his prescription.

Since then, his parents Bil and Shanon Schmidtknecht have worked tirelessly to share Cole's story and advocate for the PBM reform that could have saved his life. In this letter, they share the real, human cost of asthma denials – and why giving people a path to coverage is so incredibly critical.

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Dear Claimable Team,

We're reaching out with deep gratitude and shared purpose – as parents, advocates, and people who know all too well what it means when access to asthma medication is delayed or denied.

Asthma is not a mild or temporary inconvenience – it is a chronic, life-threatening disease that requires consistent, uninterrupted access to prescribed medications. When an insurer denies coverage for a prescribed asthma treatment – whether it's a maintenance inhaler, rescue inhaler, or biologic – it is not simply a paperwork issue. It is a decision that can disrupt care, cause physical harm, and in the most tragic cases, lead to death.

Our son, Cole Schmidtknecht, died following a sudden asthma attack during one of the happiest times in his life. He had been fighting through the obstacles put in place by a broken healthcare system – including delays, denials, and unaffordable pricing. The denial of coverage for a medically necessary asthma medication can cost someone their life.

We live with that reality every day.

Appealing a denial is not just a bureaucratic step – it is a lifeline. When insurers reconsider their decision based on additional clinical context or urgency, they have the power to correct a dangerous mistake and prevent suffering. It's not only the right thing to do – it's a matter of life and death.

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to each of you at Claimable for taking the initiative to bring asthma denial cases into your platform. Creating a simple, accessible path for patients and families to challenge harmful decisions is a powerful act of compassion – and a concrete step toward justice and accountability in healthcare.

Most importantly, we urge everyone – patients, caregivers, providers, and even insurers-to fight back when access to care is denied. Always appeal. Always ask questions. Always push for what is right.

Because every delay, every rejection, every barrier can cost someone more than just time – it can cost them their life.

Thank you for being part of the solution, and for honoring lives like Cole's through the work you do.

With gratitude,

Bil and Shanon Schmidtknecht

Patient Advocates

Patient Protector

Justice for Cole and All Others

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