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A Texas man committed suicide in June after reportedly suffering delays in accessing essential medications.
Kenney Blewett, of Kyle, Texas, suffered from breathing problems caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, KFF Health News reported Friday, a condition affecting 16 million Americans and linked to Kenney’s decades of smoking.
He had recently lost 45 pounds and rarely left the house, experiencing increasingly frequent flare-ups earlier this year, his wife Cindy Blewett recalled.
His doctor prescribed a new inhaled medication to improve his breathing, but the prescription was not filled immediately and he received an email from Walgreens explaining that an “insurance issue” was the cause of the delay.
“He was hoping it would work,” Cindy told KFF Health News. “I wish we had the chance to find out.”
Kenney had previously attempted suicide years ago and had long suffered from mental health issues, she noted. He wrote in a note that his health was too poor to continue living.
But Cindy said she wondered if Kenney would still be alive if his June 7 flare-up had been avoided, adding that she still had questions about the delay in treatment.
When she called Walgreens, an employee allegedly told her the order required “prior authorization,” a rule that requires medical providers to obtain authorization from health insurance companies before receiving treatment.
Still, Cindy wasn’t clear which insurer needed pre-approval.
Kenney was a recipient of Medicare, the federal health insurance program for the elderly and disabled. It had an optional Part D plan, which helps people pay for their medications through pre-approved private insurers. He also had a Medigap plan that paid for other out-of-pocket expenses.
The Part D plan used Wellcare Value Script and the Medigap plan went through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas.
The drug would have been covered under Part B – but the government apparently had no record of billing for the prescription.
A spokesperson for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas said The Independent The company is not discussing details of member inquiries as of Friday.
“Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas are committed to expanding access to quality, cost-effective care across all stages of life,” the insurer said.
The Independent also contacted Cindy Blewett, Walgreens, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and Centene, the parent company of Wellcare Value Script, for comment on the report.
The Blewetts’ story may sound familiar to many Americans who have experienced insurance delays.
A West Virginia father died of cancer in September 2025 after his health insurance coverage for possible treatment was reportedly delayed. KFF Health News reported last year.
Nearly 70 percent of adults considered them “a major problem,” according to a January survey by the nonprofit KFF.
Health insurers committed to revising prior authorization in June 2025 – less than a year before Blewett died.
It’s unclear how much improvement has been made since then — although insurance provider United Healthcare said it would eliminate 30 percent of prior authorization requirements starting Thursday.
The companies have made progress but still need to do more, said Chris Klomp, who oversees Medicare for the Trump administration. The New York Times in May.
More than 90 percent of doctors said the practice delays access to care and negatively impacts patient outcomes, according to a May survey by the American Medical Association. More than a quarter said a prior authorization had led to an adverse patient event.
AHIP, an industry trade group in Washington, D.C., said The Independent that the organization could not speak to individual patient experiences, but acknowledges that “more needs to be done to address the fragmented and complex nature of our health system.”
If you live in the United States and you or someone you know is currently in need of mental health support, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline online chat. This is a free, confidential helpline available to anyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you are in the UK and are feeling distressed, or struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK & ROI) or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
Gn Health
