— Limb loss and limb difference community applauds Representatives G.K. Butterfield (D-NC) and Brett Guthrie (R-NC) for their bipartisan leadership on this issue —
WASHINGTON, D.C.; OCTOBER 13, 2020 — The Amputee Coalition applauds the bipartisan leadership of Representatives G.K. Butterfield (D-NC-01) and Brett Guthrie (R-KY-02) for introducing H.R. 8581, the Access to Assistive Technology and Devices for Americans Study Act (known as the “Triple A Study Act”). This is the companion bill to S.4343, the Triple A Study Act legislation introduced by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL).
“On behalf of the 2.1 million Americans living with limb loss and limb difference and the 28 million more at risk, we thank Representatives Butterfield and Guthrie for introduction of this legislation,” said Mary Richards, President and CEO of the Amputee Coalition. “The Triple A Study Act will identify the best care practices for people living with limb loss or limb difference so they can be replicated across health systems, which will improve health outcomes for our community.”
Only about one-third of people who experience limb loss or limb difference receive a prosthetic device, and little analysis exists to explain how those decisions are made or if individuals are getting the access to care they need. The information that does exist is difficult to compare across providers.
The Triple A Study Act directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study barriers to care for assistive technologies, including prosthetic devices, and evaluate how those affect patient outcomes by comparing results across Medicare, the VA, and private insurers. It examines specific challenges, such as the affordability of devices, how often people are denied coverage, or if patients can return to work.
The GAO is an independent, non-partisan federal government agency that is well positioned to study and evaluate these important policy questions. Policymakers and others can use these credible findings to develop a strategic plan to improve care for all Americans living with limb loss and limb difference.
“The Triple A Study Act will improve care for the limb loss and limb difference community,” said John “Mo” Kenney, Immediate Past Chair of the Amputee Coalition Board of Directors and owner of Kenney Orthopedics in Representative Guthrie’s district. “Limb loss isn’t a partisan issue,” Kenney continued. “We are grateful for the leadership of Representatives Butterfield and Guthrie who have crafted meaningful legislation that has broad bipartisan appeal. The limb loss and limb difference community looks forward to working with them to get this bill across the finish line.”
“This bill is the first of its kind, and the first one in seven years that directly addresses the needs and challenges in accessing care for the limb loss and limb difference community,” said Jeffrey Cain, M.D., Chair of the Amputee Coalition Board of Directors.
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About the Amputee Coalition
The Amputee Coalition is the leading patient advocacy organization for the limb loss and limb difference community. Its mission is to reach out to and empower people affected by limb loss and limb difference to achieve their full potential through education, support, and advocacy, and to promote limb loss prevention. The organization serves the 2.1 million Americans living with limb loss and limb difference, the 28 million more who are at risk, and the 185,000 Americans who undergo amputation surgery every year. Learn more at amputee-coalition.org.
Media Contact:
Carol Blymire