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How will the federal bill change the law? |
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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.
Is my member of Congress supporting the parity bill? Currently, Reps. Rob Andrews (D-NJ), George Miller (D-CA), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Al Green (D-TX), Peter King (R-NY), Joe Sestak (D-PA), Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Steve Kagen (D-WI), Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Todd Russell Platts (R-PA) have all signed on as co-sponsors of HR 2575. If your representative is not a co-sponsor, you should get in touch with him or her today to recommend supporting the bill! |
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Prosthetic Parity Bill Re-Introduced: Amputee Coalition Mobilizing Support at Local Levels
By: Sheila Van Pay
The Prosthetic and Custom Orthotic Parity Act of 2009 (HR 2575) was re-introduced in the House of Representatives in May of this year. We have been working closely with Sen. Snowe’s office to ensure that the bill will be re-introduced in the Senate. This will allow us to continue to fight for this important legislation over the next 2 years.
With much of the attention around access to care focused on healthcare reform, we see this year as an opportunity not only to influence this important national debate, but also to raise awareness and increase support for prosthetic and orthotic parity.
The Amputee Coalition’s advocacy department has been working diligently with activists throughout the country to get them involved in the federal efforts.
A number of individuals in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey and Maryland have already participated in in-district meetings with their legislators. Having an in-district lobby visit means that you meet with your elected official or his or her staff in the district office instead of going all the way to Washington, D.C. At this meeting, you share what you think about a certain issue or bill, and you to try to get him or her to take action on that issue.
The goal of our current push for in-district meetings is to urge members of Congress to co-sponsor the parity bill, as well as to educate them on issues important to our members.
Although most activists have set up meetings with their senators and representatives during the congressional recesses this summer, quite a few met with their legislators’ healthcare aides while Congress was still in session.
Lawmakers’ decisions to support a bill are greatly influenced by their constituents’ requests. That is why it is so important that they hear from amputees back home. Congress will be on recess again in August. The House of Representatives will be out from August 3 to September 7. The senators will be home from August 10 to September 7. This is the perfect time to get involved and set an appointment to meet with the people who represent you in Congress!
A form is available on our Web site if you are interested in signing up to participate in an in-district meeting. We will contact everyone who signs up to answer their questions, help them make the appointment, provide them with materials and generally guide them throughout the process.
To fill out a form and find out more about our efforts, click here.
We are here to help you. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to call or e-mail any time at 202/742-1886 or federal@amputee-coalition.org
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Click here to help spread the word about the need for prosthetic coverage!
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