Connecticut Amputees Rally for Prosthetic Coverage

By Morgan Sheets

On February 7, almost 100 amputees flooded the capitol in Hartford, Connecticut, to lobby for the state's parity bill. The activists were pushing for legislation that would require insurance companies to cover prostheses in the same way or on par with other basic medical services. The rallying cry in Hartford was "Parity Works," not only because this policy will work to get people the care they need, but also because it helps keep amputees working and paying taxes.

Rachel Grusse was among those who participated in a media event at the Connecticut State Capitol. Grusse, 15, lost both of her legs when she was 16 months old and has had several pairs of legs made over the years as she has grown. Coverage for her prosthetic care has diminished from 100 percent to 75 percent to now 50 percent with no out-of-pocket maximums—a difficult adjustment for Grusse and her family.

Grusse was joined by her parents, aunt, grandmother, and several friends at the Capitol to push for parity to help all families who are simply trying to get their children the care they need to lead full and active lives.

John DiMasso also spoke. He lost his leg three years ago as a result of an accident. His rehabilitation went well, and he was provided a leg and went back to work. He was later advised to lose some weight for health reasons. He followed through on that advice, but his prosthesis no longer fit correctly. When he went back to get a replacement, he was told that his insurance company will only cover one prosthesis per lifetime. This made him a passionate advocate for prosthetic insurance coverage parity.

In addition to the media event, a group of prosthetists and local amputees set up an educational presentation in the legislative office building. They participated in lobby meetings with members of the Insurance & Real Estate Committee as well as legislative leadership and talked
with staff from their representative's office.

Morgan Sheets is the national advocacy director for Amputee Coalition of Americas (ACA) Action Plan for People with Limb Loss (APPLL) initiative. She can be reached at APPLL@amputee-coalition.org . For more information, visit www.amputee-coalition.org/advocacy/index.html

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	Portrait of an Activist: Laura Willingham - December 2007 Progress on Parity
	ACA Expands Advocacy Department - November 2007 Progress on Parity
	Portrait of an Activist: Dennis O'Donnell - September 2007 Progress on Parity
	Prosthetic Coverage on the Legislative Agenda in Many States - February 2007 Progress on Parity

Table Of Contents - April 2008

	Early Prosthetic Fit: Yes or No? Feature
	Better than Spinach: Young Minds and Muscles Benefit Equally with Activity Feature
	The Right Resources Make All the Difference Feature
	Ankle-Foot Bracing for Young Athletes Feature
	The Battle of Compliance: How to Keep Kids in Their Braces Feature
	SureStep Shrinks HEKO Brace for Young Patients Feature
	Is Your O&P Practice the Best It Can Be? Perspective
	Brianna Barner: Life's Twists Stun, Inspire Healthcare Family Today's Consumer
	Innovative Crutch Designs: More Gain, Much Less Pain Innovations
	The Winter of My New-Found Reality Residency Report
	Father, Son Begin 3,300-mile Freedom Run Across the United States Sports
	University of Pittsburgh Adds Orthotics and Prosthetics Master’s Program Industry Review
	Hanger Education Fair Boasts Record Attendance Industry Review
	Five Questions for Jean Williams Gonzalez, CPO Face to Face
	Got FAQs? Got FAQs?
	Connecticut Amputees Rally for Prosthetic Coverage Progress on Parity
	'Big Things Come in Small Packages' Viewpoint
	Velocity Introduces Expulsion Valve EDGE Direct Sponsored Story
	Squid Beaks for a Better Prosthetic Fit? EDGE Direct