Synopsis
Born with a cleft lip and palate, Toni continues to face barriers to essential care—not because treatment isn’t available, but because her insurance company says it isn’t “medically necessary.” In this short video, she shares her story and calls attention to the need for fair access to comprehensive cleft care.

Context
Produced as part of the ELSA advocacy campaign for Smile Train, this video highlights the gaps in insurance coverage that many people born with cleft lip and palate face in the United States. Despite the medical necessity of treatments such as orthodontics and speech therapy, private insurers often deny coverage once initial surgeries are completed. The Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act (H.R. 3277 / S.1677) seeks to close this gap by requiring private insurers to cover all medically necessary treatments related to congenital anomalies like clefts—ensuring that healthcare decisions are made by doctors, not insurance companies.

Role
Director, Producer & Editor