Monday, February 28, 2005

Good News

Some of you may remember the case of Lauren Rainey. It appears there's been a good outcome:

MOBILE, Ala.) February 26 -- It looks like a severely handicapped Mobile girl will maintain her at home nursing care. For months NBC-15 has reported on Lauren Rainey’s battle with Alabama Medicaid. The state agency indicated last fall that it was drastically reducing nursing for Lauren.

Lauren is 13- years-old. She is a dwarf, is deaf, has an artificial airway, a weak immune system, and severe bone abnormalities. After NBC-15's Bruce Mildwurf profiled Lauren's story, Medicaid was flooded with e-mails and phone calls from around the world.

Medicaid then held a 90-day investigation period and has now decided to change its regulations so that Lauren and dozens like her will continue to receive adequate help. The new policies will go into effect in May. NBC-15 will continue to follow the story.