Subject: Urge Gov. Schwarzenegger to Support AB 2012!

We could be just days away from comprehensive coverage for orthotic and prosthetic care in California, but we need your help!

Sponsored by Rep. Bill Emmerson, Assembly Bill 2012 mandates that insurance plans that offer coverage for orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) care must provide full coverage — without caps and co-pays that restrict access to prescribed devices.

AB 2012 also mandates that O&P providers must meet a standard level of competency to fit and furnish these devices and services by being nationally certified.

This bill will ensure that:

• Insured, working people can continue working and supporting their families.

• The tragedy of a child losing a limb is not compounded by forcing that child to spend the rest of his or her childhood in a wheelchair when help is readily available.

• People receive care from trained professionals.

AB 2012 is a huge step forward in providing access to quality care for Californians with limb loss . It looks like the bill will pass in the Senate. After that, it will land on the desk of Governor Schwarzenegger’s desk.

As with many bills that reform access to care, there has been opposition. We are concerned that this will prompt a veto from the governor, but you can help ensure that this bill makes it into law!

TAKE ACTION!

Make sure the governor signs AB 2012 into law by sending an e-mail, fax or letter in support of AB 2012! Your support will make a difference!

• E-mail: Go to www.govmail.ca.gov. Click on the "supporting" button and in the "choose your subject" pull-down menu, choose "OTHER" and it will give you a subject line where you can enter “AB 2012” as your subject.

• Fax: 916/445-4633

• Address: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
                   State Capitol Building
                   Sacramento, CA 95814

A sample letter is included below.

Dear Governor Schwarzenegger,

I am writing in response to AB 2012, a bill to ensure access to quality orthotic and prosthetic care. 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. This has a devastating effect on amputees and their families. That’s why this bill is so important!

When people discover that prosthetic care is not covered, they may have to resort to using their retirement or children's college savings to purchase a prosthesis in order to keep working.  Some take mortgages out on their homes, try to get bank loans, and even use a series of high interest credit cards to get the prosthetic limbs they need.

A report produced by the California Health Benefits Review Program (CHBRP) found that the increase in premiums for prosthetic provision would be about 15 cents per month. That’s less than $2.00 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.

I am writing to urge you to sign AB 2012 into law.

Sincerely,