Celebrating Victories in the Fight for Prosthetic Parity
By: Morgan Sheets
The 2009 legislative session has already exceeded our expectations. Five states have passed prosthetic parity bills --- Virginia, Maryland, Iowa, Arkansas and Texas.
Each of the bills require insurers to provide meaningful coverage for prosthetic devices and care by creating a consistent standard for prosthetic benefits. The Maryland and Texas bills also provide coverage for orthotic devices. By enacting parity legislation, insurance companies are prevented from imposing special caps and exemptions that in effect make these very basic services cost prohibitive for many individuals. Because of its potential to help people with limb loss keep their jobs, take care of their families, and live healthy, active lives, the bills were strongly supported by the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA). The ACA worked to provide technical assistance to the local campaign committees.
In some states, there is a large group partnering with the ACA to advance parity. In other places one or two committed individuals work hard to coordinate with us and make it happen. In some instances a prosthetic facility or local orthotic and prosthetic association really steps up to the plate. The ACA is so grateful to the hundreds of activists around the country who dedicate their time and efforts to advancing parity legislation at the state and federal level. With their help we are now at 16 states with prosthetic parity protections in place.
The Amputee Coalition is also building momentum and working with sponsors to get the federal prosthetic parity bill re-introduced in the 111th Congress. On March 10, with Amputee Coalition leadership and support, nearly 200 amputees and patient advocates from 34 states converged on Washington, D.C., to urge Congress members to support fair insurance coverage for artificial arms and legs. Our message was simple: Arms and legs are not a luxury. In addition, almost 30 organizations have now signed on with the Amputee Coalition to support this legislation. These include such prominent organizations as the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, Easter Seals, and the American Diabetes Association.
The ACA is committed to advancing protections at the state and federal level. We are holding a series of organizing meetings this summer to really ramp up support and mobilize activists for the various state campaigns. We are also coordinating a nationwide organizing effort to secure in-district meetings with targeted lawmakers at the federal level.
We are fighting for the hundreds of people who have shared their insurance woes at hearings and in lobby meetings. We are also fighting for those people who are not aware of their lack of coverage. Insurance companies have a powerful voice. However, we trust that our congressional representatives, like those in Maryland, Iowa, Virginia, Arkansas and Texas will see the logic in our claims and do what is right.
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To get involved in your state parity efforts, contact the ACA at state@amputee-coalition.org. To find out more about the ACA’s Congressional initiative, contact us at federal@amputee-coalition.org. Click here to learn more about the work being done by activists across the nation.