Statement from Sung Poblete, PhD, RN, CEO of FARE, on Payment Barriers to Emergency Epinephrine

McLEAN, Va -- Oct. 29, 2026 -- FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) today issued the following statement from CEO Sung Poblete, PhD, RN, after KFF Health News reported that Stephanie Rowell, a Virginia woman experiencing anaphylaxis from a wasp sting, was asked to pay $400 at an urgent care center before receiving lifesaving epinephrine.

"No one experiencing anaphylaxis should have to pay before receiving epinephrine. Anaphylaxis can become life-threatening within seconds, and epinephrine is the first-line treatment—delaying it can put lives at risk. Whether a reaction is triggered by food, a sting, or another allergen, the standard of care is the same: epi first, epi fast.

Stephanie Rowell’s experience is a lesson for all of us—and a stark reminder of how close a preventable tragedy can come. Had events unfolded differently, she could have lost her life. No one facing anaphylaxis should have to confront barriers to emergency care because of cost or insurance status.

FARE urges healthcare providers and policymakers to close loopholes that allow payment policies to delay lifesaving treatment. We all have a role to play: speak up for yourself, your family, your friends, and your community, and advocate for policies that put emergency care first. No life should be lost because preventable barriers stand in the way of treatment."