The Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee heard A1011, a bill for prosthetic coverage, back in the winter.  The Committee Chair, Assemblyman Neil Cohen said that the fiscal impact of the bill appeared to be "nominal" and that there was no reason to keep it from moving forward.  The only opposition filed was by the Chamber of Commerce.

The bill has been stuck in committee since then, but now we have a chance to pass it on to the House floor for a full vote.  This is very exciting news, but we need your help!!

Contact the committee today to urge them to support A1011! 

·        Contact the committee members online by clicking on the link below.  Select the municipality/district and fill out the online form.  (www.njleg.state.nj.us/Selectmun.asp)

·        A sample e-mail with talking points is included below. 

Chair:  Assemblyman Neil Cohen (D)  Phone: (908) 624-0880 Municipality: Union, District 20	Vice-Chair: Assemblyman Michael Panter (D) Phone: (732) 544-2116 Municipality: Shrewsbury, District 12
Assemblyman Christopher Bateman (R) Phone: (908) 526-3600 Municipality: Somerville, District 16	Assemblyman Jack Conners (D) Phone: (856) 461-3997 Municipality: Delran, District 7
Assemblyman John F. McKeon (D) Phone: (973) 275-1113                                Municipality: South Orange, District 27	Assemblywoman Charlotte Vandervalk (R) Phone: (201) 666-0881 Municipality: Westwood, District 39
Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski (D) Phone: (732) 316-1885 Municipality: Carteret, District 19

Sample E-mail

Dear Assemblyman/Assemblywoman,

I am writing to ask for your support of A1011, a bill that would require health benefits coverage for orthotic and prosthetic appliances, when it comes before your committee on Monday, June 12. 

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 face discouraging obstacles when trying to obtain prosthetic care. Current changes in insurance plans are having a devastating effect on amputees and their families.

Right now, many people with limb loss are being told that their insurance company restricts them to one prosthesis per lifetime or to $2,500 or less per year in prosthetic care. That is why your support of this bill is so important. 

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 healthcare.  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. This cost estimate did not take into account that there would also be a cost savings by both the private and public sector. 

Both the financial and social benefits provide a strong case for prosthetic coverage.  I urge you to support A1011.  This bill will help ensure that people with limb loss are given the opportunity to lead a full and productive life.

Sincerely,

Your Name and Address