July 26, 2001--
The sternum on a 10-year-old Utah girl is growing the wrong way-- inward, and pushing against her heart.
But her family's insurance company won't pay for corrective surgery.
The angry parents call the decision "corporate greed."
Science Specialist Ed Yeates reports from Plain City.
Jessica Martinson was born with a genetic condition where the sternum grows in instead of out.
At age ten now, the sagging connective bone is pulling her rib cage inward towards internal organs.
ED YEATES, SCIENCE SPECIALIST: "EVEN THOUGH JESSICA IS A MEMBER OF THE WEBER COUNTY GHOST RIDER'S CLUB AND SHE LOVES RIDING A HORSE, SHE HAS TO BE CAREFUL BECAUSE THE STERNUM IS ALREADY PUSHING AGAINST HER HEART."
CT scans measure the movement so far in centimeters. Jessica herself is starting to notice some physical strain.
JESSICA MARTINSON: "WHEN I RUN TOO MUCH, MY STOMACH STARTS HURTING AND THEN I GET PAINS RIGHT UP HERE."
Despite recommendations from her doctor that she have corrective surgery at this early age, the insurance company is telling the Martinson's the procedure for now is strictly cosmetic and non-life threatening.
DWAIN MARTINSON, JESSICA'S DAD: "I AM NOW INTO ACTUAL BITTER ANGER - AGAINST THE INSURANCE COMPANY - AGAINST THE PEOPLE. IT SEEMS TO ME JUST TO BE CORPORATE GREED."
MARGIE MARTINSON, JESSICA'S MOM: "FRUSTRATED, VERY ANGRY - BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT TO WAIT UNTIL SHE'S HAVING PROBLEMS WITH HER HEART. I WANT TO HAVE IT CORRECTED BEFORE IT CAUSES ANY DAMAGE. TO ME IT'S NOT COSMETIC."
Jessica's doctor says the surgery will become more difficult when she's older.
Fed up with the HMO, the Martinson's are trying to raise money on their own to pay for the operation, scheduled next month. They're even prepared to mortgage the house if necessary.
So far, they've sold a horse trailer, raffled off a horse and are organizing the sale of other personal items as well.
DWAIN MARTINSON: "SHE'S OUR DAUGHTER AND WE LOVE HER AND WE WANT TO DO THE BEST FOR HER AND RIGHT NOW.... THAT SEEMS TO BE THE ONLY OPTION THAT WE HAVE."
Estimates for surgery and follow-up care run between $26,000 and $30,000.
As of late Thursday afternoon, the Martinson's were appealing their claim with the insurance company for a third time.
A fund has been set up at Wells Fargo Bank (any branch), in the name of Margie Martinson. Also, the family can be contacted at 801-731-5901 in Plain City.
