Challenges to Prosthetic Access: You are probably aware that an increasing number of people living with the loss or absence of a limb face daunting obstacles from third-party payers when trying to obtain the prosthetic care they need to enable them to return to an active, productive lifestyle.

A National Campaign for Prosthetic Coverage:  In 2005, the ACA launched the Action Plan for People with Limb Loss (APPLL) and began introducing legislation at the state level that requires insurance companies to cover the repair and replacement of prosthetic devices and components.

Making Progress:  In the past nine months, the ACA has supported prosthetic coverage efforts in eight states. We have also worked with and advised an additional four states in the early stages of a coverage initiative. And, with help from the ACA and its members, Rhode Island, California and Massachusetts all passed legislation in 2006.

In Your State: The ACA met with a group of activists and practitioners in February to discuss introducing a bill in Tennessee, and held a series of organizing strategy meetings over the summer.  We are working with the Tennessee Society of Orthotists and Prosthetists and local activists to advance a bill in the 2007 legislative session. 

YOU CAN HELP!

Donate: As we work to advance prosthetic coverage, we need the financial support of our members and supporters. 

·         Support our efforts to advance prosthetic coverage in Tennessee.

Spread the Word: Help us spread the word by sending a letter to your representative, explaining the need for legislation to protect access to prosthetic coverage.  This will help educate your legislator and demonstrate public support.

·         Find your representative. Click “House” in the left menu.  Then click on “Find Your Legislator.” 

·         We have included a sample letter below for your convenience.

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Representative/Senator __________,

Without legislation to ensure coverage, many people living with the loss or absence of a limb face discouraging obstacles when trying to obtain prosthetic care. That is why local patients, doctors and other community leaders have joined the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) in pushing for a bill for prosthetic coverage. 

Obviously, the biggest concern anyone has about passing a new mandate is cost. People fear that big jumps in the cost of insurance will reduce access to health care.  None of us want to see health insurance costs pushed beyond the reach of the average consumer. In actuality, the public sector would see savings because appropriate private insurance coverage prevents shifting costs to the public sector.  Our best financial data to support this comes from Colorado.  They were the first state to pass prosthetic parity legislation in 1998. 

A Department of Health Care Policy & Financing report found that the maximum increase in premiums for prosthetic provision would be about 12 cents per month. That’s less than $1.50 per year.  That’s not going to push anyone off the insurance rolls or put anyone out of business.  It will, however, get people the care they need to get back to work and live independent, productive lives. 

Many hard-working people in Tennessee are prevented from living full lives because they cannot get the care they need.  I hope you will support the prosthetic coverage bill in the 2007 session.      

Sincerely,

Name, Address, Phone