Morgan Sheets: Letter about State and Federal Prosthetic Parity Bills

Dear Editor: Currently, due to archaic insurance regulations, prosthetic care is being put out of reach for many amputees in Wisconsin. Insurance plans are restricting or even eliminating coverage for prostheses. This is a matter that Congress must address.

In return for premiums paid for private health insurance, consumers expect to be covered for catastrophic illness or injury. They expect that their monthly premiums will provide them with the most basic of care, including prostheses.

Policy reports regarding prosthetic parity laws from Colorado, Massachusetts, California, New Jersey and Virginia suggest that the costs are minimal -- anywhere from 12 to 25 cents per member per month.

If amputees are prevented from accessing prosthetic care, this increases state Medicaid costs due to complications. The subsequent cost to the health care system far exceeds that of providing prosthetic care, while the lack of productivity places a huge burden on society.

Prosthetic parity bills have been launched all over the country, including in the state of Wisconsin. A federal prosthetic parity bill is going to be introduced next year. This bill would ensure that prostheses are treated the same as other basic, essential care.Please urge your member of Congress to co-sponsor the federal parity bill when it is introduced. We must give people with limb loss the care they need to fully participate in society!

Morgan Sheets, national advocacy director, Amputee Coalition of America, Washington, D.C.A letter to the editor.