Recently, I learned that a dear friend was facing a life-or-death health emergency that required him to undergo heart surgery or risk the prospect of experiencing a heart attack in the near future. 

I first met my friend Daniel Pearson in 2018, when I interviewed him in Brookfield as a candidate for State Representative in the 107th district. During our conversation, I learned about his life story, including his experience growing up in deep poverty in central Florida and relocating to Connecticut in search of a better life.

In 2004, at the age of thirteen, Pearson was diagnosed with a heart condition. Unfortunately, he was dropped from his family's health insurance due to this pre-existing condition. Fortunately, years later, he was able to obtain coverage again because Connecticut was one of the first states to comply with the requirements of the Affordable Care Act.

In 2014, Pearson learned that he required open-heart surgery. Unfortunately, his insurance only partially covered the costs, leaving him over $200,000 in debt.

Ten years later, doctors at Yale and Orlando Health informed Pearson that he needed another life-saving heart procedure. He believes this need is related to complications from his 2014 surgery, and without the operation, he faces the risk of death.

Despite recommendations from his doctors, Pearson's health insurance provider denied coverage for the operation and upheld this denial upon appeal. As a result, Pearson had no choice but to turn to the public for donations to save his life.

Thankfully, through the public's generosity, Pearson raised a majority of the money needed to have the surgery, and he's on his way to recovery; no one should ever be placed in a position where they have to beg for their life due to a health insurance system that does not value life.

State Representative Raghib Allie-Brennan has expressed outrage over Pearson's recent ordeal. In response, he has introduced House Bill 6147, "An Act Concerning Coverage for Medically Necessary Treatment in This State." According to his press release, his bill "mandates coverage for treatments recommended by licensed specialists, particularly life-saving treatments, unless there is clear medical evidence to justify their denial." The bill also ensures that any and all appeals are solely decided upon medical evidence.

I wholeheartedly support State Rep. Alie-Brennan's proposal to hold insurance companies accountable for their actions. This would ensure that no other individual has to endure Pearson's suffering.