Patients covered by Wellpoint will have no problem getting Singulair for mild, persistent asthma.

FORBES: Merck's Big Allergy Bet

In 2000, 7.5% of patients experienced persistent asthma compared to 8.2% in 1997.

BBC: Childhood asthma starting to fall

So, to put this in human terms: a mother whose child has persistent, uncontrolled asthma has a zero or near-zero chance of being rejected by a doctor if the child has private insurance.

FORBES: New England Journal: Two-Thirds of Medicaid Children Denied a Doctor's Appointment, vs. 11% for the Privately Insured