My beautiful five-month-old son Ford has had a rough start. Soon after he was born we knew that something wasn't quite right. He couldn’t digest my breastmilk or regular formula and when he tried, he would have severe acid reflux, pain, and break out in eczema that covered nearly his entire body. Our doctor was able to prescribe a formula that Ford could eat and now he has a new chance at life. Unfortunately, this special formula costs $720 dollars a month, almost as much as our mortgage.

Our health insurer refuses to cover the formula despite the fact that it was prescribed by Ford’s doctor and he could die without it. I want Alabama to require health insurers to cover prescription formulas so that families like mine can afford the food they need to feed their special child.

I am the mother of three beautiful children. For the first few weeks of my youngest’s life I watched in horror as he endured unending pain and discomfort due to severe food allergies. I was helpless to do anything about it. When we found out there was a prescription formula that could end his pain and save his life, we were overjoyed. Our joy was quickly overshadowed by our insurance company’s refusal to pay. They insisted it wasn’t health related.

Currently, thirteen states require insurers to cover prescription formulas. Alabama needs to be one of those states!! No parent should have to choose between feeding their baby and keeping the lights on. Yet, families throughout Alabama are faced with that exact decision every day. Please help us as we fight for what is right for our babies and our families!

The cost of his monthly formula is pushing our family to its financial limit. We both work and have 2 other great kids who also require our time, dedication and the funds to have a meaningful and enjoyable childhood. The cost of Ford’s formula makes that much more difficult.

Please join me and families like mine and tell Senators Vivian Figures, Rusty Glover and the rest of the Alabama State Senate to require insurers to cover this life saving formula.