Anchorage Daily News

Troy Chapman, a Palmer resident who suffers from cystic fibrosis, may be able to come home after all.

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Troy Chapman

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Chapman, 24, is currently in Seattle awaiting a lung transplant. As a Medicaid patient, Chapman is barred from receiving reimbursement for a transplant and aftercare under current Alaska regulations because he's over 21.

But an emergency regulation change is being considered by the Department of Health and Social Services. Thanks to lobbying by Anchorage Rep. Les Gara's office, who heard of Chapman's plight through a family acquaintance, the regulation is being internally reviewed prior to being public noticed as part of the process.

The change would not go before the Alaska Legislature but funding it remains their prerogative, said Cindy Christiansen, the department's operations manager for health care services.

Although the average regulation change process takes about 120 days, the length of time depends on the complexity of the regulation, she said.

"This should be a very simple process once it is started and I believe that Les is going to probably work with the department on trying to fast track it," Christensen said.

Troy's father, John, said the news that expenses related to his son's transplant may be covered "made me so ecstatic I couldn't see straight."

Due to the lack of transplant specialists in Alaska, John said he doesn't anticipate his son returning until after Troy receives a new set of lungs, whenever that may be.

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