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ACA Works to Finalize and Introduce the Prosthetic & Orthotic Parity Act of 2009

BREAKING NEWS: The Prosthetic & Custom Orthotic Act of 2009 (H.R.2575) was introduced in the House on May 21, 2009. We are also working with Senator Snowe’s office to get the bill introduced in the Senate as soon as possible. This bill will ensure amputees get the healthcare they need to live active, independent lives. Click here to read the text.

Campaign for Prosthetic Coverage

→  Background:  The Prosthetic Parity Act of 2008 was originally introduced in the US House of Representatives on March 13, 2008.  House Resolution 5615 requires a consistent and appropriate standard for prosthetic care.  The bill was authored by Representative Robert Andrews (D-NJ), with Representatives George Miller (D-CA), Todd Platts (R-PA), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), and Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL) signing on as original co-sponsors. 

On September 18, 2008 Senators Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Tom Harkin (D-IA) Daniel Inouye (D-HI) and Russell Feingold (D-WI) introduced a prosthetic parity bill in the US Senate.  Senators Bob Casey, Jr. (D-PA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) signed on as co-sponsors right before the Senate adjourned.  

→ Looking Ahead: To secure passage of legislation to meet the needs of people with limb loss and other complex, disabling orthopedic conditions, the Amputee Coalition of America has recently joined in partnership with several organizations, as well as our sponsors to finalize the language and re-introduce the bill. 

Partners include Alpha One, the American Academy of Neurology Professional Association, the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics (ABC), the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA), the Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification (BOC), the Brain Injury Association of America, the Center for Medicare Advocacy, the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, the Easter Seals, Hanger Orthopedic Group, the National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics (NAAOP), the National Commission on Orthotic & Prosthetic Education (NCOPE), the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), the Orthotic and Prosthetic Alliance, the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA), the Spina Bifida Association, the Arc of the United States, United Cerebral Palsy and United Spinal Association.

→ How will the federal bill change the law? Any health insurance plan offering coverage for prosthetic and custom-fabricated orthotic devices must offer coverage on par with health insurance coverage offered for medical and surgical services. The bill provides terms no less favorable than the terms and conditions applicable to the hospital and surgical benefits provided under the health plan. This creates a consistent standard of coverage for prosthetic devices, as well as coverage for orthotics used by people with complex, disabling orthopedic conditions. 

→ Take Action: We strongly urge you to participate in meetings with your legislator(s) in order to obtain additional co-sponsors in both the House and the Senate.  If you are interested in meeting with your member(s) of Congress to urge them to support this much needed legislation, please fill out this form: https://www.amputee-coalition.org/advocacy/district-meetings/index.html or contact Sheila Van Pay (svanpay@amputee-coalition.org) for more information. We will help you set up the meeting(s), provide you with materials including a list of talking points, as well as provide day-to-day assistance if you have any questions or comments.

With health care reform at the forefront of discussion it is imperative that members of Congress hear from their own constituents regarding this much needed legislation.  We hope that you will consider joining us in the fight for prosthetic and orthotic coverage.

REMEMBER: We are here to help. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are unable to get a meeting this month, your legislators will be in their districts  August 3 - September 4. We are aiming to have in-district meetings in at least 50% of our targeted states. Please consider setting up a meeting during one of the future recesses and make sure to contact us for help and information packets. If you need further assistance, please contact Sheila Van Pay at federal@amputee-coalition.org.

Click here to learn about our healthcare reform efforts in Congress.

*This page is funded by the ACA and not supported with CDC grant funding. Views expressed in the contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the ACA.