“The only disability in life is a bad attitude.” -Scott Hamilton

"The only disability in life is a bad attitude." - Scott Hamilton

Monday, June 4, 2012

Coventry Ends Deal to Cover Sequenom's Down Syndrome Test

"Genetic analysis products maker Sequenom Inc said insurer Coventry Health Care Inc terminated an agreement to provide coverage for its prenatal test to detect certain chromosomal abnormalities including Down Syndrome.
Coventry had agreed to provide coverage to its 2.2 million members for Sequenom's MaterniT21 PLUS testing service, which needs only the mother's blood to detect chromosomal abnormality, from July 1. Sequenom said on Thursday that Coventry terminated the agreement without citing any cause, effective August 31.
Sequenom shares fell 12 percent to $4.22 in after-market trade. They closed at $4.77 on Thursday on the Nasdaq."

If you are not sure what this article is referring to, let me explain.  There is a new blood test that will detect Down Syndrome in babies while still in utero with a 99.1% accuracy.  No other testing is required.  This has been called the "cure" for Down Syndrome because it gives parent's plenty of time to terminate the pregnancy.  Currently, 92% of parents who find out their child will have Down Syndrome (normally via amniocentesis), abort.  That is a crazy number!!! 
Now, image what that percentage will be with a simple blood test.
Until Next Time.
Lots of Love,

1 comment:

Ellie said...

They don't know what they are missing, Raymond is such a joy to watch. If it wasn't for his health problems, poor little guy, he'd be perfect.