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Glenn's Show Prep

Their Insurance Didn’t Want to Cover This Family – Then the Audience Stepped In

August 14, 2017
Jon Boldt

Writer

Last week, Russell Cruzan II and Michelle Budnik-Nap joined Glenn on radio Monday to share an update on their son Russell Cruzan, who suffers from the same debilitating genetic condition that Charlie Gard had.

According to the Michigan couple, their insurance company didn’t want to cover the baby’s appointment with a mitochondrial specialist in Boston because Priority Health thought a nearby geneticist was sufficient for Russell’s care. Known as “Bubby,” the baby has mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome, a rare degenerative genetic condition that affects organs and muscles. While there is no known medical cure, medical specialists have been able to improve quality of life for children with the condition.

The insurance company’s Facebook page blew up with lots of comments following the couple’s interview on radio Thursday. Dad Russell Cruzan had the latest update on Monday morning: Priority Health’s medical director is now handling the case, and the family is moving forward with the company to work out covering the baby’s initial appointment with a specialist.

The family should have an answer for their case by Wednesday, he said.

GLENN: Hmm.

I believe it was on Friday, we had Russell Cruzan on. His son is Bubby. Bubby is a newborn, less than a year old, who has been diagnosed with the same disease that -- oh, shoot, now I've forgotten his name.

STU: Charlie Gard.

GLENN: Charlie Gard has had in England. When we first had him on, we just talked about how the family is and everything is going on. Insurance was fine.

Last week, we found out that their insurance company is not going to cover a -- a doctor's appointment or allow them to go out of state because, "You've got a geneticist." Well, no.

The geneticist in the state says, "I'm not an expert in this. There's one guy that is an expert. And the baby needs to see an expert." This isn't like -- this can't be solved in -- at a doc in the box. We need a specialist on this.

So we found out that they were trying to get an appointment. By the end of the day, I think the fundraiser that we started in the morning was up to $40,000. And -- and we were also looking for information about the insurance company on what the insurance company was going to do, whether they would reconsider.

I got this note: Glenn, Thursday after we got off the phone, Priority Health called me and said that it was indeed denied. Their case. But I needed to file an appeal as fast as possible. He then said that their Facebook was blowing up with all kinds of comments.

I tried to file the appeal, but the email server was down, perhaps from all of the emails and comments from your awesome supporters. They then called me this morning, I think this was Friday and said: Don't worry about the appeal right now. The medical director is now handling our case and is going to talk to geneticist. And they're trying to see if they can get this approval done for us. Thanks so much for all of the help from your listeners. We'd be lost without you guys.

Russell, welcome to the program.

RUSSELL: Hey. How's it going?

GLENN: Good. What a rollercoaster this is.

RUSSELL: Yes, it is.

GLENN: Okay. So tell us what has happened.

So I really want to provide a free commercial for Priority Health, you know, and let people call in, like you, who have had, you know, problems where they've solved it. Are they going to solve this problem, do you think?

RUSSELL: I'm really hoping they do. It sounds like, after Thursday, it sounds like they started backpedaling a lot.

GLENN: Okay.

RUSSELL: They're like -- I mean, all the negativity they were getting and everything. They did tell me, come Wednesday, they'd have an answer for me. And they did talk to our geneticist and the one we're trying to go see.

GLENN: Great.

Well, here's what we would like to do: And you can -- you can offer this. You know, when they decide that they are going to, you know, show the -- you know, cover Bubby and -- and -- and make sure that he can go to a geneticist and the insurance company recognizes, of course, that, you know, they don't know more than the actual experts in the field, that they're there to cover and write checks, not to make diagnosis or health care calls. I'd love to have their representative on to be able to give them the accolades and point out that this is an insurance company that, you know, has a heart and is doing that.

And if they choose not to cover -- you know, they said by Wednesday, let's stay in touch. When they come back, if they choose not to cover, I'd also like to give them free advertising. And we'll pick a day. And I just want to hear from just those people who have filed, you know, for things and then had Priority -- what is it? Priority Health?

RUSSELL: Correct.

GLENN: Yeah, that had Priority Health turned them down, but then correct -- I'm sure -- I'm sure there's tons of stories where they filed and everything went fine. It was all corrected.

So whatever your story is with Priority Health, I'm going to give you an opportunity to have a nationwide audience. And we'll dedicate the entire show to Priority Health, to show -- we'll have the listeners and people who actually have Priority Health explain what a wonderful health care company and provider this provider is.

Everything else good, Russell?

RUSSELL: Yeah, everything else is going great.

GLENN: Good. Do you have the appointment set?

RUSSELL: Yes, we do. August 24th. They have agreed to let us pay out of pocket, which will be easily done now with all the support that we got from everybody after that show.

GLENN: What is it up to now? Do you know?

RUSSELL: Almost $57,000.

PAT: Yeah.

GLENN: Fifty-seven thousands. Well, that's good.

All right. Thank you so much. I appreciate it. And we'll -- you just keep in touch with me. And let's make sure that one way or another, everyone knows exactly how great Priority Health is.

RUSSELL: Sounds good. Thank you very much.

GLENN: You're welcome. Thank you.

If we just used our power for good, as opposed to evil.

PAT: Uh-huh.

GLENN: What we could accomplish.

JEFFY: That's what I tell myself, looking here at PriorityHealth.com.

GLENN: Oh, you know what, you can write to them on their Facebook page. They love it.

STU: Well, you're optimistic though on the way they're going to handle this. Right?

GLENN: I am. I am.

PAT: Well, who wouldn't be? I mean, surely there can't be too many stories from Priority Health customers where things have gone bad, right?

JEFFY: No.

PAT: There can't be -- I mean, nobody is perfect. Maybe there's one or two. But I'm sure if we opened up the phones on Thursday to find out more, you know, we would only hear a couple of stories.

GLENN: Right.

STU: We probably won't.

JEFFY: If any.

PAT: If any, yeah.

GLENN: If any. They're probably a great company.

PAT: Maybe this is the only snafu.

GLENN: Right. But that's why I want to open it up. I want to hear from all those people that have said -- that will tell us, "Hey, I had this with Priority Health, and everything was covered. And we got it covered in time. And there was no problems. And they wrote the check."

JEFFY: Right.

GLENN: "And they're just the greatest company of all the time."

PAT: That's exactly what I expect to hear.

GLENN: That's exactly what I expect to hear too. So we'll open that up for the people who actually pay the probably very low premium and very low deductible as well, for Priority Health. Anxious to advertise for them.

STU: And to be clear, that's the only time -- we would only do that if we had an indication or a concern that this was of more frequent occurrence. If they were able to handle this claim the way that they're supposed to, I mean, there's no reason --

PAT: We would be happy to talk about that too. Right.

GLENN: I would be happy to have the CEO on.

STU: And he could tell us about --

PAT: And thank them.

GLENN: And tell us -- and thank them. Sincerely thank them for taking a look at it.

PAT: Yeah. Because obviously mistakes happen.

GLENN: Right.

STU: That's why they have an appeals process.

GLENN: Exactly right. Exactly right. Wish that it didn't take a huge radio show to --

PAT: Either way, it should be a fun day for them on Thursday.

GLENN: Oh, it's going to be a fun day for them.

PAT: Yeah.

GLENN: Yeah. One day perhaps -- one way perhaps a little more fun than the other.

PAT: Perhaps.

GLENN: Perhaps.

JEFFY: Eh.

GLENN: Huh?

JEFFY: If you say so.

GLENN: Okay. All right.

Stand with Voddie Baucham’s family in this time of loss

In the quiet aftermath of a profound loss, the Christian community mourns the unexpected passing of Dr. Voddie Baucham, a towering figure in evangelical circles. Known for his defense of biblical truth, Baucham, a pastor, author, and theologian, left a legacy on family, faith, and opposing "woke" ideologies in the church. His book Fault Lines challenged believers to prioritize Scripture over cultural trends. Glenn had Voddie on the show several times, where they discussed progressive influences in Christianity, debunked myths of “Christian nationalism,” and urged hope amid hostility.

The shock of Baucham's death has deeply affected his family. Grieving, they remain hopeful in Christ, with his wife, Bridget, now facing the task of resettling in the US without him. Their planned move from Lusaka, Zambia, was disrupted when their home sale fell through last December, resulting in temporary Airbnb accommodations, but they have since secured a new home in Cape Coral that requires renovations. To ensure Voddie's family is taken care of, a fundraiser is being held to raise $2 million, which will be invested for ongoing support, allowing Bridget to focus on her family.

We invite readers to contribute prayerfully. If you feel called to support the Bauchams in this time of need, you can click here to donate.

We grieve and pray with hope for the Bauchams.

May Voddie's example inspire us.

Overcoming loneliness: Connecting in a disconnected world

Loneliness isn’t just being alone — it’s feeling unseen, unheard, and unimportant, even amid crowds and constant digital chatter.

Loneliness has become an epidemic in America. Millions of people, even when surrounded by others, feel invisible. In tragic irony, we live in an age of unparalleled connectivity, yet too many sit in silence, unseen and unheard.

I’ve been experiencing this firsthand. My children have grown up and moved out. The house that once overflowed with life now echoes with quiet. Moments that once held laughter now hold silence. And in that silence, the mind can play cruel games. It whispers, “You’re forgotten. Your story doesn’t matter.”

We are unique in our gifts, but not in our humanity. Recognizing this shared struggle is how we overcome loneliness.

It’s a lie.

I’ve seen it in others. I remember sitting at Rockefeller Center one winter, watching a woman lace up her ice skates. Her clothing was worn, her bag battered. Yet on the ice, she transformed — elegant, alive, radiant.

Minutes later, she returned to her shoes, merged into the crowd, unnoticed. I’ve thought of her often. She was not alone in her experience. Millions of Americans live unseen, performing acts of quiet heroism every day.

Shared pain makes us human

Loneliness convinces us to retreat, to stay silent, to stop reaching out to others. But connection is essential. Even small gestures — a word of encouragement, a listening ear, a shared meal — are radical acts against isolation.

I’ve learned this personally. Years ago, a caller called me “Mr. Perfect.” I could have deflected, but I chose honesty. I spoke of my alcoholism, my failed marriage, my brokenness. I expected judgment. Instead, I found resonance. People whispered back, “I’m going through the same thing. Thank you for saying it.”

Our pain is universal. Everyone struggles with self-doubt and fear. Everyone feels, at times, like a fraud. We are unique in our gifts, but not in our humanity. Recognizing this shared struggle is how we overcome loneliness.

We were made for connection. We were built for community — for conversation, for touch, for shared purpose. Every time we reach out, every act of courage and compassion punches a hole in the wall of isolation.

You’re not alone

If you’re feeling alone, know this: You are not invisible. You are seen. You matter. And if you’re not struggling, someone you know is. It’s your responsibility to reach out.

Loneliness is not proof of brokenness. It is proof of humanity. It is a call to engage, to bear witness, to connect. The world is different because of the people who choose to act. It is brighter when we refuse to be isolated.

We cannot let silence win. We cannot allow loneliness to dictate our lives. Speak. Reach out. Connect. Share your gifts. By doing so, we remind one another: We are all alike, and yet each of us matters profoundly.

In this moment, in this country, in this world, what we do matters. Loneliness is real, but so is hope. And hope begins with connection.

This article originally appeared on TheBlaze.com.


Russell Vought’s secret plan to finally shrink Washington

Bloomberg / Contributor | Getty Images

Trump’s OMB chief built the plan for this moment: Starve pet programs, force reauthorization, and actually shrink Washington.

The government is shut down again, and the usual panic is back. I even had someone call my house this week to ask if it was safe to fly today. The person was half-joking, half-serious, wondering if planes would “fall out of the sky.”

For the record, the sky isn’t falling — at least not literally. But the chaos in Washington does feel like it. Once again, we’re watching the same old script: a shutdown engineered not by fiscal restraint but by political brinkmanship. And this time, the Democrats are driving the bus.

This shutdown may be inconvenient. But it’s also an opportunity — to stop funding our own destruction, to reset the table, and to remind Congress who actually pays the bills.

Democrats, among other things, are demanding that health care be extended to illegal immigrants. Democratic leadership caved to its radical base, which would rather shut down the government for such left-wing campaign points than compromise. Republicans — shockingly — said no. They refused to rubber-stamp more spending for illegal immigration. For once, they stood their ground.

But if you’ve watched Washington long enough, you know how this story usually ends: a shutdown followed by a deal that spends even more money than before — a continuing resolution kicking the can down the road. Everyone pretends to “win,” but taxpayers always lose.

The Vought effect

This time might be different. Republicans actually hold some cards. The public may blame Democrats — not the media, but the people who feel this in their wallets. Americans don’t like shutdowns, but they like runaway spending and chaos even less.

That’s why you’re hearing so much about Russell Vought, the director of the United States Office of Management and Budget and Donald Trump’s quiet architect of a strategy to use moments like this to shrink the federal bureaucracy. Vought spent four years building a plan for exactly this scenario: firing nonessential workers and forcing reauthorization of pet programs. Trump talks about draining the swamp. Vought draws up the blueprints.

The Democrats and media are threatened by Vought because he is patient, calculated, and understands how to leverage the moment to reverse decades of government bloat. If programs aren’t mandated, cut them. Make Congress fight to bring them back. That’s how you actually drain the swamp.

Predictable meltdowns

Predictably, Democrats are melting down. They’ve shifted their arguments so many times it’s dizzying. Last time, they claimed a shutdown would lead to mass firings. Now, they insist Republicans are firing everyone anyway. It’s the same playbook: Move the goalposts, reframe the narrative, accuse your opponents of cruelty.

We’ve seen this before. Remember the infamous "You lie!” moment in 2009? President Barack Obama promised during his State of the Union that Obamacare wouldn’t cover illegal immigrants. Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) shouted, “You lie!” and was condemned for breaching decorum.

Several years later, Hillary Clinton’s campaign platform openly promised health care for illegal immigrants. What was once called a “lie” became official policy. And today, Democrats are shutting down the government because they can’t get even more of it.

This is progressivism in action: Deny it, inch toward it, then demand it as a moral imperative. Anyone who resists becomes the villain.

SAUL LOEB / Contributor | Getty Images

Stand firm

This shutdown isn’t just about spending. It’s about whether we’ll keep letting progressives rewrite the rules one crisis at a time. Trump’s plan — to cut what isn’t mandated, force programs into reauthorization, and fight the battle in the courts — is the first real counterpunch to decades of this manipulation.

It’s time to stop pretending. This isn’t about compassion. It’s about control. Progressives know once they normalize government benefits for illegal immigrants, they never roll back. They know Americans forget how it started.

This shutdown may be inconvenient. But it’s also an opportunity — to stop funding our own destruction, to reset the table, and to remind Congress who actually pays the bills. If we don’t take it, we’ll be right back here again, only deeper in debt, with fewer freedoms left to defend.

This article originally appeared on TheBlaze.com.

Britain says “no work without ID”—a chilling preview for America

OLI SCARFF / Contributor | Getty Images

From banking to health care, digital IDs touch every aspect of citizens’ lives, giving the government unprecedented control over everyday actions.

On Friday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stood at the podium at the Global Progressive Action Conference in London and made an announcement that should send a chill down the spine of anyone who loves liberty. By the end of this Parliament, he promised, every worker in the U.K. will be required to hold a “free-of-charge” digital ID. Without it, Britons will not be able to work.

No digital ID, no job.

The government is introducing a system that punishes law-abiding citizens by tying their right to work to a government-issued pass.

Starmer framed this as a commonsense response to poverty, climate change, and illegal immigration. He claimed Britain cannot solve these problems without “looking upstream” and tackling root causes. But behind the rhetoric lies a policy that shifts power away from individuals and places it squarely in the hands of government.

Solving the problem they created

This is progressivism in action. Leaders open their borders, invite in mass illegal immigration, and refuse to enforce their own laws. Then, when public frustration boils over, they unveil a prepackaged “solution” — in this case, digital identity — that entrenches government control.

Britain isn’t the first to embrace this system. Switzerland recently approved a digital ID system. Australia already has one. The World Economic Forum has openly pitched digital IDs as the key to accessing everything from health care to bank accounts to travel. And once the infrastructure is in place, digital currency will follow soon after, giving governments the power to track every purchase, approve or block transactions, and dictate where and how you spend your money.

All of your data — your medical history, insurance, banking, food purchases, travel, social media engagement, tax information — would be funneled into a centralized database under government oversight.

The fiction of enforcement

Starmer says this is about cracking down on illegal work. The BBC even pressed him on the point, asking why a mandatory digital ID would stop human traffickers and rogue employers who already ignore national insurance cards. He had no answer.

Bad actors will still break the law. Bosses who pay sweatshop wages under the table will not suddenly check digital IDs. Criminals will not line up to comply. This isn’t about stopping illegal immigration. If it were, the U.K. would simply enforce existing laws, close the loopholes, and deport those working illegally.

Instead, the government is introducing a system that punishes law-abiding citizens by tying their right to work to a government-issued pass.

Control masked as compassion

This is part of an old playbook. Politicians claim their hands are tied and promise that only sweeping new powers will solve the crisis. They selectively enforce laws to maintain the problem, then use the problem to justify expanding control.

If Britain truly wanted to curb illegal immigration, it could. It is an island. The Channel Tunnel has clear entry points. Enforcement is not impossible. But a digital ID allows for something far more valuable to bureaucrats than border security: total oversight of their own citizens.

The American warning

Think digital ID can’t happen here? Think again. The same arguments are already echoing in Washington, D.C. Illegal immigration is out of control. Progressives know voters are angry. When the digital ID pitch arrives, it will be wrapped in patriotic language about fairness, security, and compassion.

But the goal isn’t compassion. It’s control of your movement, your money, your speech, your future.

We don’t need digital IDs to enforce immigration law. We need leaders with the courage to enforce existing law. Until then, digital ID schemes will keep spreading, sold as a cure for the very problems they helped create.

This article originally appeared on TheBlaze.com.