Family of Forrest VanPatten, the man from Sparta, who died waiting for a potentially lifesaving cancer treatment is speaking to out after his death.
He was just 50 years old when he died and fought his insurance company for the medication that may have saved him.
“There’s kind of moments where I expect to walk through the door and see him sitting here,” said Donovan Van Patten, Forrest’s son.
When chemo did not treat his cancer, Forrest was hopeful for treatment called, Car-T treatment, but was denied through his Priority Health insurance.
His son told FOX 17, the rejection from the insurance company cost them their father.
“Yeah, I’m upset. I’m pissed, Donovan said. “At that moment, when they came in and said it’s over, he’s passed, it was obviously heartbreaking. But you do get that sense of relief that he’s done. He’s at peace. He’s up with the big man now,” he said.
FOX 17 reached out to priority health multiple times. Priority health said they will not discuss patient coverage due to privacy issues.
