Contacts:
Morgan Sheets
Amputee Coalition of America
202-302-4373
Jay Scher
Sims & Associates, Inc.
212 725-3838 or 917 940-7876
Local Amputees Attend Lobby Day in Washington, DC,
Seeking Support of Prosthetic Parity Act of 2008, Requiring Meaningful Health Insurance Coverage for Prosthetic Care
Washington, DC, June 11, 2008--Amputees from around the country, along with their families, friends and supporters, will be in Washington, DC, today, to participate in the first Lobby Day in support of the Federal Prosthetic Parity Act of 2008, which would require health insurance companies to provide coverage for prosthetic care as they do for all essential medical care.
The Lobby Day is being organized by the Amputee Coalition of America, the leading national, non-profit, amputee consumer educational organization that empowers people who have experienced amputation, or are born with limb differences, through education, support and advocacy.
“Members of Congress are increasingly aware the extent to which health insurers deny many amputees access to artificial limbs that they need to lead active and independent lives,” said Paddy Rossbach, CEO of the Amputee Coalition of America.
She explained that many health insurance companies cap prosthetic care benefits too low for the average person to obtain a prosthesis, and they often impose lifetime caps or eliminate coverage completely.
"The federal prosthetic parity bill will also ensure that the tragedy of children living with the absence of limbs is not compounded by inadequate insurance benefits forcing them to spend the rest of their childhood in wheelchairs when help is readily available," she said.
Amputees in Washington today, will meet with their House and Senate members between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm seeking their support of the bill, HR 5615, which has had bipartisan support from its introduction.
The bill was authored by Representative Rob Andrews (D-NJ 1st CD) and it provides insurance parity under employer-paid and group health insurance coverage for prosthetic devices and components. Representatives Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL 21st CD), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL 25th CD), George Miller (D-CA 7th CD) and Todd Platts (R-PA 19th CD), are original co-sponsors.
For those who cannot make the trip out to Washington, the ACA is organizing a call-in day. Activists are encouraged to contact the offices of their congressional delegation to urge their support.
“Many of our members are struggling to pay for their limbs. This puts them in a tough position and prevents them from joining us for this important event. We are excited that they are able to participate through the national call-in day,” added Morgan Sheets, the ACA’s national advocacy director.
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. For information on becoming a member or making a donation to the Amputee Coalition of America visit the ACA website at http://www.amputee-coalition.org, or call 1-888-267-5669. A national 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, the Amputee Coalition of America relies on grants and private support for its programs. Donations to the Amputee Coalition of America are tax deductible to the extent permissible by law.
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OTHER CONTACTS:
Ginna Goodenow
Maryland disability rights advocate/lobby day participant
301/460-1636
Dennis O'Donnell
New Jersey amputee, support group leader and lobby day participant
856/278-2422
Don Davis
Pennsylvania amputee and lobby day participant
610/970-5672