Bevin signs bill to make insurance cover Pikeville boy’s treatment

Noah Greenhill, 10, stood attentively Tuesday morning at the side of Gov. Matt Bevin in the state Capitol as he watched the governor ceremonially sign into law a bill that will help reduce his medical expenses.

The governor gave the first pen he used to sign the bill to the youngster from Pikeville.

“It’s a great day,” said the child’s father, Eddie Greenhill.

He and his wife, Stephanie Greenhill, have worked for months to make Senate Bill 193 state law. It has been dubbed “Noah’s law.”

The bill, sponsored by Sens. Ralph Alvarado, R-Winchester, and Ray Jones, D-Pikeville, will extend health insurance coverage to amino acid-based formulas used by Noah and others with similar illnesses.

The treatment Noah has been using has cost the family more than $40 a day.

The boy has a rare medical condition called eosinophilic esophagitis. Inflammation of the esophagus — the tube that carries food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach — makes it difficult for Noah to eat, requiring him to take an amino acid-based formula by feeding tube four times a day.

“There is much to rejoice about this day,” Bevin said of the new law.

The legislation is “a good example of where people transcend party,” he said.

After signing the bill, Bevin asked Noah if he wanted to say anything in the State Reception Room, which was filled with family, well-wishers and reporters.

“Thanks,” the child said.

This story was originally published April 12, 2016 at 2:00 PM with the headline "Bevin signs bill to make insurance cover Pikeville boy’s treatment."