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Hannah suffers from a potentially fatal condition that makes it nearly impossible to eat most foods and her story and condition inspired the proposed Hannah's Law that would "require certain health insurance policies to include coverage for the cost of enteral formulas for the treatment," according to a news release from state Sen. Greg Ball (R,C,I-Patterson).
The enteral formulas are used for treating eosinophilic esophagitis and related eosinophilic disorders, the condition Hannah has lived with her whole life.
Children like Hannah can only obtain nourishment from special, enteral formulas, "which in some cases may be ingested orally, but in other circumstances must be administered via a feeding tube," according to the release.The formula needed for Hannah to survive costs $14,400 annually.
Ball introduced Hannah’s Law as an assemblyman in May 2008, according to the release.
“Hannah is the cutest and toughest little girl I know and is an outstanding, giving member of our community,” said Ball in the release. “Today will go down as a highlight in my career. After years of working on this legislation, we have finally passed it to ensure that thousands of families are never again victimized by the system, like the Devane family.”
Hannah's mother Jessie Devane praised Ball and others for getting the ball rolling on the legislation.
“Words can’t describe how happy I am that this bill has finally passed through both houses. I can’t thank Senator Ball and his staff enough for the tireless work they have done on behalf of my daughter and for all the EoS families in New York State,” said Devane in the release. “This law will give our family the peace of mind that we can now take care of Hannah without the financial burden.”
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