Katie Beckett - For Whom Medicaid Waiver Was Named - Dies at Age 34

Our condolences and sincere thanks to Katie's family.

By Tony Leys, DesMoines Register

Katie Beckett’s family hoped that by catching a president’s attention, they could force bureaucrats to free their 3-year-old girl from a Cedar Rapids hospital. They never dreamed that her case would bring landmark changes allowing hundreds of thousands of American children with disabilities to live at home instead of in institutions.

Beckett, whose name became synonymous with disability rights, died Friday morning at St. Luke's Hospital.

Beckett, 34, spent most of the first three years of her life living at St. Luke’s, after a bout of encephalitis infected her brain, caused a coma and left her with severe breathing problems. Her parents’ insurance ran out, so the case fell to Medicaid, the public insurance program. Doctors determined she could leave the hospital with proper supports at home. But Medicaid refused to pay for such care, even though it would cost one-sixth as much as hospital care.

Read the full story in The DesMoines Register.

Comments

[oneVoice]

Rest in peace dear Katie Beckett.We thank you and your family for the positive landmark changes in the life of thousands of disabled children.You had a great fight and you won.I wish strength to your family.My prayers are with you.

[cliftonzwillette]

You know what You guys should stop complaining because, one the health care we have now isnt as good as it was supposed to be. also the law has just been signed so give it some time. so if u want to say u have the right to choose tell that to ur congress men or state official. If you do not have insurance and need one You can find full medical coverage at the lowest price by searching online for "Penny Health" If you have health insurance and do not care about cost just be happy it and trust me you are not going to loose anything!