National Advocacy Director
202 302-4373 or 202 742-1880
Paddy Rossbach
Amputee Coalition of America
Chief Executive Officer
860 435-8892 or 917 439-8112
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ACA LAUNCHES GROUND BREAKING EVENT SERIES TO CALL ATTENTION TO THE RESTRICTIONS ON INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR PROSTHESES
The Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) is launching an unprecedented national event to build support for the Prosthetic Parity Act of 2008. From Saturday, April 26th-Friday, May 2nd amputees, prosthetic facilities and other supporters are organizing events throughout the country to raise awareness and build support for the federal campaign for amputee care. The week of action will include events in cities across the country from Hartford, CT to Salt Lake City, UT. The ACA has confirmed 83 events in 80 cities in 34 states. The initiative is part of a national campaign to push health insurers to provide meaningful coverage for prosthetic devices.
The week is intended to unite amputees, health care providers and other allies in their attempt to advance the Prosthetic Parity Act of 2008 (HR 5615). Authored by Representative Rob Andrews (D-NJ), HR 5615 provides insurance parity under group health plans and group health insurance coverage in the provision of benefits for prosthetic devices and components. Representatives George Miller (D-CA), Todd Platts (R-PA), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), and Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL) signed on as original co-sponsors.
“Right now, many amputees are being denied access to an artificial limb. They pay their premiums into private insurance companies, but then those same companies refuse to cover the cost of the prosthesis they need to be active and independent. This is just plain wrong,” said Paddy Rossbach, chief executive officer.
The problem is that a growing number of group and private insurance companies cap the benefit so low that the average working family can’t afford a prosthesis. Other insurance companies are creating lifetime caps or eliminating coverage completely.
“The American people deserve health care coverage for catastrophic illness or injury,” added Morgan Sheets, national advocacy director. “This is the very reason people purchase health insurance.”
Ten states have passed legislation similar to the federal bill. Almost 30 states are working to advance policy. Analysis shows that this legislation would have no more than a 12 to 25 cent increase to monthly premiums.
Activists are organizing post card drives and holding lobby meetings in congress members’ district offices. They are holding house parties or even doing bake sales to demonstrate how ridiculous it is that amputees who have health insurance have to hold fundraisers to pay for their limbs. They are hoping that their efforts will build support for House Resolution 5615.
"The federal parity bill will ensure that the tragedy of children living without a limb is not compounded by forcing them to spend the rest of their childhood in a wheelchair when help is readily available," added Rossbach.
The Amputee Coalition of America, based in Knoxville, Tennessee, is a national, non-profit consumer educational organization that empowers people who have experienced amputation or are born with limb differences through education, support and advocacy. The Amputee Coalition includes individual amputees, amputee educational and support groups, family members and friends of amputees, physicians and other health care and rehabilitation professionals, prosthetists, amputation or limb loss related agencies and other organizations.
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