CONNECTICUT: Act now to support HB 5527!
HB 5527 will be heard on Feb 26th. Help make sure it passes!
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House Bill 5527 will be heard by the Joint  Committee on Insurance and Real Estate on February 26th.  Unfortunately, there is some language in House Bill 5527 that we are unhappy about – including a cap of $7,500 per limb.  We will continue to push for true parity.   Click here to learn more about the push for a substitute bill.

Click here to make your voice heard and attend the hearing.  Even if you cannot attend the hearing, you can make a difference! 

TAKE ACTION!  The committee needs to hear from supporters like you! Contact the Joint Committee on Insurance and Real Estate TODAY! 

If you have five minutes, make a call and/or send an e-mail to the Chair, the two Vice Chairs:  

 

 

· Chair, Joseph Crisco, Co-Chair (D, 17)--Crisco@senatedems.ct.gov  or 860-240-0500

 

· Senate Vice Chair, Joan V. Hartley, (D, 15) -- Hartley@senatedems.ct.gov or 860-240-0500

 

· House Vice Chair, Rep. Charles D. Clemons, Vice Chair (D, 124) --- Charles.clemons@cga.ct.gov or 860-240-0400

 

 

If you have ten to fifteen minutes, make a call and/or send an e-mail to the Chair, the two Vice Chairs and the members of the committee.   We need your help!

 

· Ranking Senate Member, Senator Sam Caliguiri, (R, 16), Sam.Caligiuri@cga.ct.gov or 860-240-8800

 

· Ranking House Member, Rep. Kevin Witkos, (R, 17), Kevin.witkos@cga.ct.gov or 860-240-0400

 

· Rep. Brian J. O’Connor,(D, 35), Brian.oconnor@cga.ct.gov or 860-240-0400

 

· Rep. Emil Altobello, Member (D, 82), altobello@cga.ct.gov or 860-240-0400

 

· Rep. Anthony J. D’Amelio, Member (R, 71), Anthony.damelio@cga.ct.gov or 860-240-0400

 

· Rep. Stephen D. Dargan, Member (D, 115), Stephen.dargan@cga.ct.gov or 860-240-0400

 

· Rep. Steve Fontana, Member (D, 87), Steve.fontana@cga.ct.gov or 860-240-0400

 

· Rep. John Frey, Member (R, 111), John.frey@housegop.ct.gov or 860-240-0400

 

· Rep. John Harkins, Member (R, 120),  John.harkins@housegop.ct.gov or 860-240-0400

 

· Rep. Robert W. Megna, Member (D, 97), Robert.megna@cga.ct.gov or 860-240-0400

 

· Rep. Vickie Orsini Nardello, Member (D, 89), Vicki.nardello@cga.ct.gov or 860-240-0400

 

· Rep. Kelvin Roldan, Member (D, 04), Kelvin.roldan@cga.ct.gov or 860-240-0400

 

· Rep. Linda Schofield, Member (D, 16), Linda.schofield@cga.ct.gov or 860-240-0400

 

· Rep. Christopher R. Stone, Member (D, 09), Christopher.stone@cga.ct.gov or 860-240-0400

 

· Rep. Sean J. Williams, Member (R, 68), Sean.williams@housegop.ct.gov or 860-240-0400

 

Rep. Geragosian is a member of the committee.  He has been working with the Amputee Coalition of America to push this bill.  We are grateful for his support!  If you would like to thank him for his leadership, he can be reached at John.geragosian@cga.ct.gov.

 

SAMPLE PHONE MESSAGE: Hello. My name is ____. I reside in ____. I am calling regarding HB 5527, a bill regarding insurance coverage of prosthetic devices. This is an important bill for amputees in Connecticut. I am very excited that your committee is considering this issue. A substitute version is being worked on. I urge Senator/Representative ____ to support the substitute version of HB 5527 when it comes before the Joint Committee on Insurance and Real Estate on February 26th. Thank you. 

 

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Senator/Representative ____,  

 

I am writing in regards to HB 5527, a bill regarding insurance coverage of prosthetic devices.  This is an important bill for amputees in Connecticut.  I am very excited that your committee is considering this issue.  A substitute version is being worked on. 

 

The goal of parity legislation is to require that prosthetic devices are covered on par with other basic, medical services. No special provisions that are more or less restrictive than coverage for any other services.  The current version of the bill contains language that will drastically impact the effectiveness of the bill.

 

Financial caps may seem like a reasonable compromise, but in reality this will continue to place prosthetic care out of reach for many amputees.  Imagine being told that your child requires a $10,000 leg to walk and run and play, but the insurance company will only cover $7,500.  This is a tragedy, especially when you consider that the child will need replacements as they grow up.

 

Or think about the amputee who due to specific employment or health needs is prescribed a computerized device in order to prevent falls and continue to be employed in their particular occupation who is told that the company will not provide any coverage for microprocessor devices. 

 

We are not asking for special provisions.  In fact, we are asking that prosthetic coverage be on par with all other services in the plan.  So if a lifetime cap is put on all other medical care, it can be imposed on prosthetic care. If a financial limit of coverage is put on services like surgery or hospital stays, it can be put on prostheses. But a special set of restrictions should not be placed on prosthetic care.

 

Your fellow committee member, Rep. John Geragosian has worked with local advocates on a substitute version of the bill.  I urge you to support the substitute version of HB 5527 when it comes before the Joint Committee on Insurance and Real Estate on February 26th.  

 

We are very appreciative that the topic of coverage is being discussed.  We just want to make sure that whatever bill moves forward will truly meet the needs of amputees in CT. Thank you for your time.

 

Sincerely,

NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE

We are having an organizing call to prepare for the hearing on February 26th.  Click here for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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