ADVOCACY UPDATE: New States Join the Fight for Prosthetic Parity


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New States Join the Fight for Prosthetic Parity

By: Morgan Sheets

The Amputee Coalition of America’s has a couple of new state partners in their national campaign to advance parity legislation.  Missouri and Indiana are both working to build committees in order to introduce bills in 2008.

 

A group of prosthetists worked with the ACA to convene a meeting in Missouri in February to discuss initiating a campaign.  They are in the process of forming a campaign committee. 

 

Sen. John Griesheimer has introduced a bill in Missouri that would require coverage for computerized prosthetic devices.  While this is a great start, the new campaign committee is really jumping into action by pushing him to push for comprehensive coverage in order to meet the needs of a larger group of amputees and protect access to repairs and replacements. 

 

Allen Dolberry, CPO and Kevin Hagemeier, CPO approached the ACA in the fall to discuss launching a campaign in Indiana.  They held their first meeting in March.  They are working to identify a sponsor.  They already have a strong group of supporters.  The group has a series of organizing events planned over the summer to build support and identify allies. 

 

There is also exciting news for the 2007 bills.  Iowa’s assembly bill, House File 185, was heard by the Commerce Sub-Committee.  SSB 1076, the senate version is also being considered in sub-committee.

 

And Oregon’s bill is moving full speed ahead.  It was heard by the House Health Care Committee on Valentine’s Day.  The campaign committee also secured an endorsement from the Oregon Medical Association.  They recently sat down with Blue Cross Blue Shield and a panel of insurance industry lobbyists to negotiate.  This is a testament to the strength of their campaign!

 

Pennsylvania is also ramping things up as they finalize plans for their upcoming rally at the Capitol in Harrisburg.  Coming off of Pennsylvania’s very successful Day of Action, the event is sure to be a success!  New York is also holding an event in Albany.  We are looking forward to the opportunity to share people’s stories and really hammer home the need for prosthetic coverage legislation.

 

It is a very busy time of year for the national campaign as bills continue to move and new states continue to pop up.   

 

 

Morgan Sheets is the National Advocacy Director (202/742-1885 or state@amputee-coalion.org).

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