Insurance Co Rethinks `No`

A couple of weeks ago, NBC 10 News told the story of a Bridgeton family whose insurance company was cutting off nursing care for their terminally ill daughter. Now, the insurance company has revised its decision.

"Insurance companies -- they're just people. And until you make them realize what they need to do, they're gonna keep saying 'no,'" said Denise Lairson.

Alissa Lairson has been blind from birth and profoundly brain damaged from unexplained seizures known as Ohtahara syndrome. She is completely dependent on nurses like Terra Tilden for her testing, tube feeding, monitoring and dozens of medications that she needs around-the-clock. But Denise and Louis Lairson told NBC 10 News that their medical insurer -- AmeriChoice -- was cutting nursing hours from 24 to eight hours a day and wanted to eliminate it by June.

Tilden knew what that meant.

"I was more concerned about Alissa and the things that Denise was going to have to go through in order to care for Alissa on her own. It's a lot of work -- a 24-hour job," Tilden explained.

Just a week after an NBC 10 News report questioned AmeriChoice's decision to eliminate nursing care for the 2 ½-year-old, a letter arrived that reversed the insurance company's decision and restored Alissa's nurse for 16 hours a day.

"It was big weight off my shoulders. It was a big, big relief," said Denise Lairson.

"It was just the most wonderful thing that had ever happened for Alissa. If it wasn't for you guys, I don't think we would have it," said Lauren Lairson, Alissa's sister.

Alissa's father said that the NBC 10 News story had a ripple effect.

"There were a couple of other things that were approved for other children in similar situations that were not being approved before. So it's not just us, it's helped other people also," said Louis Lairson Sr.

Because of the effect of the NBC 10 report, the Lairsons now want to push for the creation of "Alissa's Law" to make sure no more children fall through the cracks of the insurance system.

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