| MARYLAND: Speak up for prosthetic parity! |
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We are excited to announce that Maryland will be reintroducing the Prosthetic Parity bill in the 2009 session! With the session just beginning, it is vital that we reach out to committee members and urge them to support this important legislation. Without letters and calls from constituents, legislators will not see the urgent need for this bill!
Last year the Maryland parity bill went through the Finance committee and had a great hearing thanks to testimony from several local amputees and family members. We were able to leave a favorable impression on the legislators and make sure they are aware of the need for this legislation. We are confident we will be up for another hearing this session and are workin to confirm individuals who participated last year as well as others who would be interested in attending or speaking at the hearing this year. This bill requires health insurance companies to provide meaningful coverage for prosthetic care. The legislation is designed to ensure that amputees covered by private and group health insurance are able to access the prosthetic care they need to lead full and independent lives.
We are thrilled to have the opportunity to advance this critical legislation in the Maryland General Assembly, but need your help to continue to be successful! Make a call or write a letter TODAY to ensure that we are able to keep up the fight!
Below we have included a sample phone message and sample email/letter, as well as the contact information for the committee members.
Sample Phone Message: Hello, my name is _______, and I am calling to urge Representative/Senator ___________ to support the Prosthetic Parity bill of 2009. This legislation helps to ensure prosthetic care is covered by insurance companies. Arms and legs are not a luxury and should not be treated as such. This is an important piece of legislaiton for amputees in Maryland. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sample Email/Letter: Dear Representative/Senator ______________, I am writing in regards to The Prosthetic Parity bill of 2009. In return for premiums paid for group health insurance, consumers expect to be covered for catastrophic illness or injury. Sadly, without legislation to ensure coverage, many people living with the loss or absence of a limb are facing discouraging obstacles when trying to obtain prosthetic and orthotic care. Current changes in insurance plans are having a devastating effect on amputees and their families. For example, companies will pay the surgical cost of amputating a limb, and for subsequent amputations caused by inactivity, while simultaneously limiting or even eliminating prosthetic coverage. Other payers impose such unrealistic annual and lifetime caps on prosthetic coverage that people with limb loss are unable to obtain prostheses. When an individual discovers that prosthetic care is not covered, they may have to resort to making changes to qualify for medicare which covers prosthetic care. Others end up using retirement or children's college savings to purchase a prosthesis in order to remain working. Some take mortgages out on their homes, try to get bank loans, or even use a series of high interest credit cards to get the prosthetic limbs they need. Obviously, the biggest concern anybody 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. A report from the Maryland General Assembly will be introduced with the legislation this year. Other reports have been produced in several states including Colorado, Massachusetts, California, New Jersey and Virginia. The data shows that the provision of prosthetics is not only low cost, but will also result in cost savings for both the private and public sector as well as the state. The provision of prostheses results in a variety of benefits, some of which are fiscal in nature; some of which are more related to quality of life issues, which are less measurable. Non-fiscal benefits include a reduction in the secondary conditions caused by a sedentary lifestyle, decreased dependence on caretakers, and reduced chance of diabetic-related complications leading to additional limb amputation. In addition, this segment of the population can become contributing members of society instead of depending on it. Both the financial and social benefits provide a strong case for prosthetic coverage. I urge you to support the Prosthetic Parity bill when it comes up because arms and legs are not a luxury. Thank you for your time and consideration, Sincerely, Name, Address, Phone
House Committee Members (Representatives):
Senate Committee Members (Senators):
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