Action Plan for People with Limb Loss (APPLL)

In response to overwhelming calls for information and help from a growing number of individuals experiencing difficulty in obtaining an appropriate prosthesis, the Amputee Coalition of America has expanded its advocacy efforts and launched a new initiative, the Action Plan for People with Limb Loss (APPLL). The goal of this initiative is to ensure that people with limb loss are not denied the care they need to continue to live long and productive lives.

Although individuals with limb loss face a number of obvious challenges, trying to obtain an appropriate prosthesis is among the most discouraging and least known. 02/15/2008rgical costs of amputating a limb, and for subsequent amputations caused by inactivity, while simultaneously limiting or even eliminating prosthetic coverage. Many place annual or lifetime limits on prosthetic devices and services, while others provide coverage for only one such device per lifetime, regardless of the age of the individual.

The lack of access to these devices leads to poor rehabilitation outcomes, placing amputees at a greatly increased risk of developing dangerous and costly secondary conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and additional amputation.

(APPLL) works nationwide at the grassroots level to motivate people to inform lawmakers about the critical need for all amputees to have access to an appropriate prosthesis.

APPLL’s goals are to:

• Research the current state of prosthetic care and provision

• Develop organizing materials and resources to use in educational and legislative efforts

• Build and enhance grassroots efforts in nine states currently considering parity legislation and provide assistance in an additional six states preparing to introduce or reintroduce parity legislation in 2006

• Plan for the launch of a congressional organizing campaign to lay the groundwork for future introduction of a federal parity bill

• Expand national awareness of parity issues

• Increase the number of active committees working to initiate legislative change.

» Click here to learn more about the Action Plan for People with Limb Loss