ACA Working to Advance Prosthetic Parity
By Morgan Sheets  To take on the critical challenge of advancing
insurance parity, the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) launched
the Action Plan for People with Limb Loss (APPLL).
At the beginning of January, key ACA staff met to finalize a
campaign plan for 2006. We already are seeing a great deal of
momentum coming out of our increased efforts.
In February, the Iowa Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing
on SSB 1281, a study bill requiring healthcare benefits for
prosthetic devices. Just a couple of weeks later, SSB 1281, passed
through committee on a unanimous voice vote. The next step is a
vote on the Senate floor.
But the Hawkeye state is just one of the many places where
parity is moving forward. Activists in California, New York,
Massachusetts, Ohio, and Kentucky have been working hard for many
months to advance parity in those states.
The Ohio group is distributing a patient education brochure to
facilities all across the state. They also have identified a
potential sponsor for the bill which they are drafting. Kentucky
has pulled together its own strong group of patients and
practitioners who are working to finalize a bill there.
New Jersey and Connecticut have experienced setbacks with parity
bills getting held up in committee, but still the momentum
continues as states including Tennessee, Texas, and Florida prepare
to launch bills in 2007.
The Amputee Coalition of America will continue to work with
local groups and individuals to advance prosthetic coverage state
by state.
Editor's Note: This is the introductory edition of a
national parity update planned for each issue of The O&P
EDGE.
Morgan Sheets is the national campaign director for APPLL. She
can be reached at APPLL@amputee-coalition.org 
Table Of Contents - May 2006
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