State Prosthetic Parity Campaign: Breaking News: Governor Perry has signed HB 806 into law, making Texas the 16th state to enact prosthetic parity legislation!!! The bill will now go into affect on September 1, 2009. We can't thank our activists enough, their hard work and determination really made this possible.
The Senate passed HB 806 on April 30, 2009 by a vote of 31-0! The House passed HB 806 on April 1, 2009 by a vote of 135-25!!
If you would like to get involved, please contact us at state@amputee-coalition.org or one of our local contacts, Mona Patel at monapatel@satx.rr.com Leslie Tramer at Leslietr@att.net, or Frieda Borth at friedaborth@OPTTexas.com.
SB 26 was introduced by Senator Zaffrini, and HB 806 has been introduced by Representative Gallego in the Texas Legislature. They are both currenlty awaiting action. Please, contact your local Senator and Representative and urge them to support these two bills today!
The Texas committee came incredibly close to passing the bill in 2007. Unfortunately, Texas did not have a general session until 2009. We are working with the committee to get things rolling. We held a meeting with a set of Texas activists in June at our annual conference. Right now, we are working with the local campaign committee to prepare for re-introduction in the 2009 session. Click here to find out how you can get involved.
To find out more, contact us at state@amputee-coalition.org or 202/742-1885.
"We cannot allow families to be without needed health coverage in a time of medical crisis or emergency. Because many policies limit their coverage to less than half the cost of prosthetic devices or do no t include coverage, impacted families may suffer from long-standing negative financial impacts. I look forward to working with my colleagues to champion the needs of not only persons who have lost limbs, but also of their families."
~ Texas State Senator Judith Zaffirini
Other Advocacy Issues: While parity is a big priority for the ACA’s advocacy team, we have recently been involved in a number of issues advocating on behalf of people with limb loss and limb difference. Is there a bill or issue in your state that we need to know about? Contact us at state@amputee-coalition.org.
The ACA is also working hard to pass federal parity legislation in order to extend protections for health plans regulated by Congress (about half of all policies). Get informed by visiting our federal parity page.
Help keep up the fight for parity and protect the health and rights of amputees throughout the country! Whether you can give $5, $50 or $500 we need your financial support!! Write a check to the “Amputee Coalition of America” and send it to: ACA, 300 East Hill Ave, Suite 205, Knoxville, TN, 37915 or make a donation online on our secure marketplace at: www.amputee-coalition.org/advocacy/donation.
Donate to our efforts and keep the fight for parity going strong!
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