The Iowa Legislature adjourned on April 22^nd. Unfortunately, they did not take action on the parity bill this year.  This was due in large part to the actions of Rep. Kevin McCarthy.  This is the second year in a row that he has held up this important legislation!

TAKE ACTION TODAY!  We will continue to fight for access to prosthetic care, but with legislators like Kevin McCarthy standing in our way it is a tough fight. Take a few minutes to make a phone call, send a letter or an e-mail to Rep. McCarthy.  Tell him to let the parity bill out for a vote in 2009!  

A sample phone message and e-mail/letter are included below. Please, take action today!

• Rep. Kevin McCarthy (D-67) (House Majority Leader)

• E-mail: Kevin.McCarthy@legis.state.ia.us
• Assembly Address: Rep. Kevin McCarthy, 5220 SE 31st Court, Des Moines, IA, 50320
• Permanent Address: 5220 SE 31st Court, Des Moines, IA, 50320
• Phone: 515-953-5221

For more information on the Iowa bill: http://www.amputee-coalition.org/advocacy/states/.

SAMPLE PHONE MESSAGE:  Hello. My name is ____. I reside in ____. I am calling regarding the prosthetic parity bill, House File 791.   I was extremely disheartened to hear that the parity bill was held up this year in large part due to your refusal to allow it to come up for a vote.  It is ridiculous that Iowa is so far behind in providing amputees the care that they need to lead independent, productive lives.  I am calling to ask you to stop playing political games with the lives of Iowa’s amputees.  I implore you to put this bill up for a vote in 2009.

SAMPLE E-MAIL/LETTER:

Dear Representative McCarthy,

I am disappointed that the Iowa General Assembly let another year go by without passing legislation to protect amputees’ access to prosthetic care.  I am extremely disheartened to hear that this is in large part due to your refusal to allow the prosthetic parity bill (HF 791/SF 508) to come up for a vote. 

Iowans deserve health care coverage for catastrophic illness or injury; the very reason they purchase health insurance.  An amputation is certainly an example of a catastrophic event. 

Currently, ten states – Colorado, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, California, Oregon, New Jersey, Indiana and Vermont – have passed prosthetic parity bills and 30 states have similar bills in various stages in the legislative process.  Congress has even introduced a bill that has received strong, bipartisan support.

It is ridiculous that Iowa is so far behind in providing amputees the care that they need to lead independent, productive lives.  Analysis shows that this legislation would have no more than a 12 to 25 cent increase to monthly premiums. 

Furthermore, this bill is restorative.  It will return people to work and will help them to reclaim their lives and do so at no additional cost to the American taxpayers.

Other health care mandates increase health care costs to the entire system because more people have access to the mandated benefit.  This is not the case with the parity bill as it will neither increase the frequency or the occurrence of amputations.

This bill is the codification of what a health insurance policy should cover.  This legislation will put prosthetic devices where they belong – on par with other critical medical services in people’s insurance plans if such insurance coverage is offered by a plan.  It is parity, it is equity, and it is the right thing to do.

I am writing to ask you to stop playing political games with the lives of Iowa’s amputees.  I implore you to put this bill up for a vote in 2009! 

Sincerely,
Name, Address, Phone

 For more information about this bill or any other campaign, contact us at 202/742-1885 or state@amputee-coalition.org.