You are probably aware that an increasing number of people living with the loss or absence of a limb face daunting obstacles from third-party payers when trying to obtain the prosthetic care they need to enable them to return to an active, productive lifestyle. That is why the ACA is working with activists across the country to introduce legislation requiring the coverage of prosthetic devices and components. 

Making Progress:  With help from the ACA and its members, Rhode Island, California and Massachusetts all passed legislation in 2006.

In Your State: The ACA is working with practitioners and activists to start a campaign for prosthetic coverage in Michigan!  We need your help!

YOU CAN HELP!

Donate: As we work to advance prosthetic coverage, we need the financial support of our members and supporters. 

·         Support our efforts to advance prosthetic coverage in Michigan.

Spread the Word: Help us spread the word by sending a letter to your representative, explaining the need for legislation to protect access to prosthetic coverage.  This will help educate your legislator and demonstrate public support.

·         Click here to find your representative.

·         We have included a sample letter below for your convenience.

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Representative/Senator ____,

Without legislation to ensure coverage, many people living with the loss or absence of a limb face discouraging obstacles when trying to obtain prosthetic care. That is why local patients, doctors and other community leaders are working with the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) in pushing for a bill for prosthetic coverage. 

Obviously, the biggest concern anyone has about passing a new mandate is cost. People fear that big jumps in the cost of insurance will reduce access to healthcare.  None of us want to see health insurance costs pushed beyond the reach of the average consumer. In actuality, the public sector would see savings because appropriate private insurance coverage prevents shifting costs to the public sector.  Our best financial data to support this comes from Colorado. They were the first state to pass prosthetic parity legislation in 1998. 

A Department of Health Care Policy & Financing report found that the maximum increase in premiums for prosthetic provision would be about 12 cents per month. That’s less than $1.50 per year. That’s not going to push anyone off the insurance rolls or put anyone out of business. It will, however, get people the care they need to get back to work and live independent, productive lives. 

Subsequent reports in Massachusetts and California also found that the cost to cover prosthetic devices would be minimal and would actually result in savings to the public and private sector. Both of these states passed bills requiring coverage in 2006.

Many hard-working people in Michigan are prevented from living full lives because they cannot get the care they need.  I hope you will support the bill for prosthetic coverage!

Sincerely,

Name, Address, Phone