BOUNTIFUL, Utah (KUTV) — After weeks of fighting their health insurance’s denial of coverage, the Bateman family from Utah has not only secured a prosthetic arm for their 9-year-old daughter Remi, but has also helped another child receive the same life-changing device.
Remi’s mother, Jami Bateman, shared that after their insurance provider Select Health deemed the prosthetic “not medically necessary,” the family launched a GoFundMe campaign. The response was overwhelming, with the fundraiser quickly exceeding its goal.
“The GoFundMe got reposted. We exceeded well over the goal,” Jami said. “I was contacted by the CEO of CrowdHealth. They decided to pick up the bill and paid for Remi’s arm in full. It’s just been amazing.”
Because the CEO offered to pay for Remi’s arm, the Batemans used the funds raised to pay for a boy in Maryland’s prosthetic arm.
The viral story didn’t just help Remi — her family’s campaign also caught the attention of another family with an 8-year-old boy named Taj from Maryland, who will now receive the same “Hero Arm” prosthetic.
“I wasn’t able to do this for Taj for Christmas,” Taj’s mother said, “but thought ‘maybe next summer, we’ll be able to get [the arm]’.”
Jami Bateman hopes their story brings joy to both families.
This is not a feel good story. This should cause rage in everyone who sees it. Prosthetics should always be covered by health insurance if someone wants one. For-profit health insurance companies are the fucking devil.
amhrancas 