Any healthcare reform proposal that truly gets at improving health systems and enhancing access must address the healthcare needs of people with limb loss.  Orthotics, prosthetics, and other assistive technologies and related services must be provided without inequitable limits and restrictions.  It is also the states’ role in innovating health care standards is respected by protecting state mandates. 

Please e-mail your house representative member and senator today and let them know that you expect healthcare reform to provide adequate coverage for prosthetic devices.  Arms and legs are not a luxury!

• Click here to find your House member: https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
• Click here to find your senator: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Sample House Letter

Dear Representative _____,

I urge you to protect the ability of all Americans to access affordable health insurance regardless of their health status.  I strongly support the inclusion of disability status as a category for purposes of measuring health disparities.

Arms and legs are not a luxury.  Prosthetic limbs are essential items that enable people with limb loss to function as working, tax paying citizens.  These benefits are not luxuries or convenience items.  It is imperative that any healthcare reform package that is advanced by the US Congress include specific provisions around access to assistive devices such as artificial limbs.      

Denying coverage for prosthetic devices would have devastating consequences for individuals in need of this care to facilitate their recovery and restore their ability to function and live as independently as possible.  These benefits are no less important than antibiotics to a person with an infection, open heart surgery to an individual with coronary artery disease, or setting a limb that has been broken. 

It is not enough to provide coverage for “rehabilitative and habilitative services”.  This may leave out essential items for people with limb loss --- artificial limbs.  Congress must explicitly require coverage of DMEPOS (durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies) and must do so in statute.  

I am very pleased that the current version of the House Education and Labor healthcare reform legislation includes language ensuring access to durable medical equipment, orthotics and prosthetics.  I urge you to ensure that the final versions of the House bill provides these important coverage standards. 

Almost two million Americans are living with limb loss or limb deficiency as a result of disease, trauma or birth defect.  As the emerging public health crisis of diabetes continues to escalate, so will the number of amputations.  It is essential that the needs of people with limb loss are taken into consideration as health care proposals are developed in order to ensure that they are able to lead independent, productive lives.

I urge you to do your best to ensure that people with limb loss are able to lead independent, productive lives.  

Sincerely,

  Name, Address, Phone

Sample Senate Letter

Dear Senator_____,

I urge you to protect the ability of all Americans to access affordable health insurance regardless of their health status.  I strongly support the inclusion of disability status as a category for purposes of measuring health disparities.

Arms and legs are not a luxury.  Prosthetic limbs are essential items that enable people with limb loss to function as working, tax paying citizens.  These benefits are not luxuries or convenience items.  It is imperative that any healthcare reform package that is advanced by the US Congress include specific provisions around access to assistive devices such as artificial limbs.      

Denying coverage for prosthetic devices would have devastating consequences for individuals in need of this care to facilitate their recovery and restore their ability to function and live as independently as possible.  These benefits are no less important than antibiotics to a person with an infection, open heart surgery to an individual with coronary artery disease, or setting a limb that has been broken. 

I am pleased that the Affordable Health Choices Act includes coverage of rehabilitation and habilitation “devices” as well as services in the essential benefits package.  This statutory language establishes coverage for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) which are critical to people with limb loss.  I urge you to work with your House and Senate colleagues to ensure that this important care is not left out of healthcare reform!

Almost two million Americans are living with limb loss or limb deficiency as a result of disease, trauma or birth defect.  As the emerging public health crisis of diabetes continues to escalate, so will the number of amputations.  It is essential that the needs of people with limb loss are taken into consideration as health care proposals are developed in order to ensure that they are able to lead independent, productive lives. 

I urge you to to ensure that people with limb loss are able to lead independent, productive lives.  

Sincerely,

  Name, Address, Phone

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