inMotion Magazine

Being Informed 11 Once again the community responded, and because people shared their stories, the funding has been secured in both the House and Senate 2018 budget proposals. These are both significant wins for the limb loss community and the Amputee Coalition, and it’s important to recognize that we couldn’t have done it without individuals like you taking action. In addition to these major issues, the Amputee Coalition was also able to hold a successful Hill Day and introduce major legislation in both the House and Senate. In April, nearly 100 people with limb loss came to Washington, D.C. to meet with their legislators and raise awareness about issues impacting the community. These meetings have resulted in ongoing conversations with legislators about important legislation like the Insurance Fairness for Amputees Act, as well as the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) Clarification Act. While there are still ongoing discussions about introducing the Insurance Fairness for Amputees Act, we have successfully introduced the LCD Clarification Act in both the House and Senate with bipartisan support. This legislation would provide more transparency and accountability to the LCD process. This is important because it was this process that nearly wreaked havoc on the limb loss community in the form of the 2015 Draft Local Coverage Determination on Lower Limb Prostheses. That Draft LCD is currently on hold, but it would have fundamentally changed the way that people with limb loss receive prosthetic care and would have made it nearly impossible to get more technologically advanced prostheses that can provide greater mobility and stability. These accomplishments are attributed to the engagement we’ve seen from advocates across the country, but it’s important to recognize that the need for your help and engagement doesn’t end because of these successes. From our strategy to pass Insurance Fairness for Amputees in all 50 states and at the federal level, to monitoring issues and impacts with healthcare reform, Medicare and Medicaid, and staying on top of budget and regulatory issues, there’s so much more that you can get involved in! Looking Back Planning Ahead ...with the Amputee Coalition throughout the remainder of this year and into 2018 as we continue to gear up our efforts to enact meaningful change and improve access to care for the limb loss community! amputee-coalition.org/advocacy-awareness Stay engaged... i