Re: 60 Minutes II/Where is ACA!
Tony Barr
Description
Collection
Title:
Re: 60 Minutes II/Where is ACA!
Creator:
Tony Barr
Date:
7/4/2001
Text:
I don't want to run marathons, climb mountains or jump out of airplanes. I
just need a leg to get to the bathroom, cook my own food and sit on my front
porch. Since I don't have the money, and I cant take care of myself without
a leg, Medicare pays $500 a day for me to stay in a full care nursing home.
I don't want to be here but I have no choice.
Fredrick Frank, 58 year old B/K amputee and BUAAF recipient
The television segment that aired on 60 Minutes last night revealed how
technology in prosthetics has advanced to the status of the Million Dollar
Man's components. Problem is, that is about how much it would cost to obtain
it!
As Paddy Rossbach revealed accurately in the segment, typically, these
hi-tech version of prosthetics range in cost from $40-$60k each and are not
within the financial reach of most amputees whom are not fortunate to be
sponsored by the manufacturers.
Paddy did a great job in eluding to the horrific expense of acquiring this
technology to the average amputee.
She also stated correctly that even a K-Mart model would cost $22-$24k each.
Again not within reach of most amputees and certainly not covered under most
insurance policies.
Exposing available technology is good for informative purposes and makes
society feel good. On the other hand its dangling a carrot to most amputees
who do not have the coverage or resources to obtain it.
My hat is off to Paddy whose 60 Minutes television interview was
informative, inspirational and factual but perhaps unsettling and
discouraging to most amputees who know that the technology exists but the
where with all to obtain it does not.
This is a wake up call to organizations whose mission statements include
amputee advocacy issues.
Unfortunately, such television programs can generate the illusion to the
community that all is fine with all Americans whom have experienced limb
loss and that supporting advocacy issues are not warranted.
With all due respect to the worthy achievements of the handful of amputee
super stars exposed on this television segment and various printed media,
affordable technology to most of the 2 million amputees in the USA and to
the 450 Americans that become amputees every day, simply does not
exist......for them!
Hopefully individuals,organizations, i.e..the ACA, the national association
for advocacy of amputee issues, will take a more active role in supporting
and initiating efforts to obtain affordable and proper prosthetic health
care for all amputees.
Mr. Franks story above is common as well as those from hundreds of
thousands of working age Americans that fall thru the cracks of no coverage
for just the basic prosthetic needs.
Happy 4th of July!
Tony Barr
President
Barr Foundation
www.oandp.com/barr
----- Original Message -----
From: Francis D Southwick < <Email Address Redacted> >
To: Amputee Information Network < <Email Address Redacted> >
Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2001 9:37 PM
Subject: 60 Minutes II
> Did anyone catch the segment on protesis and athletes. I Found it
> interesting, but only a
> very brief blurb about cost and the insurance co.
just need a leg to get to the bathroom, cook my own food and sit on my front
porch. Since I don't have the money, and I cant take care of myself without
a leg, Medicare pays $500 a day for me to stay in a full care nursing home.
I don't want to be here but I have no choice.
Fredrick Frank, 58 year old B/K amputee and BUAAF recipient
The television segment that aired on 60 Minutes last night revealed how
technology in prosthetics has advanced to the status of the Million Dollar
Man's components. Problem is, that is about how much it would cost to obtain
it!
As Paddy Rossbach revealed accurately in the segment, typically, these
hi-tech version of prosthetics range in cost from $40-$60k each and are not
within the financial reach of most amputees whom are not fortunate to be
sponsored by the manufacturers.
Paddy did a great job in eluding to the horrific expense of acquiring this
technology to the average amputee.
She also stated correctly that even a K-Mart model would cost $22-$24k each.
Again not within reach of most amputees and certainly not covered under most
insurance policies.
Exposing available technology is good for informative purposes and makes
society feel good. On the other hand its dangling a carrot to most amputees
who do not have the coverage or resources to obtain it.
My hat is off to Paddy whose 60 Minutes television interview was
informative, inspirational and factual but perhaps unsettling and
discouraging to most amputees who know that the technology exists but the
where with all to obtain it does not.
This is a wake up call to organizations whose mission statements include
amputee advocacy issues.
Unfortunately, such television programs can generate the illusion to the
community that all is fine with all Americans whom have experienced limb
loss and that supporting advocacy issues are not warranted.
With all due respect to the worthy achievements of the handful of amputee
super stars exposed on this television segment and various printed media,
affordable technology to most of the 2 million amputees in the USA and to
the 450 Americans that become amputees every day, simply does not
exist......for them!
Hopefully individuals,organizations, i.e..the ACA, the national association
for advocacy of amputee issues, will take a more active role in supporting
and initiating efforts to obtain affordable and proper prosthetic health
care for all amputees.
Mr. Franks story above is common as well as those from hundreds of
thousands of working age Americans that fall thru the cracks of no coverage
for just the basic prosthetic needs.
Happy 4th of July!
Tony Barr
President
Barr Foundation
www.oandp.com/barr
----- Original Message -----
From: Francis D Southwick < <Email Address Redacted> >
To: Amputee Information Network < <Email Address Redacted> >
Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2001 9:37 PM
Subject: 60 Minutes II
> Did anyone catch the segment on protesis and athletes. I Found it
> interesting, but only a
> very brief blurb about cost and the insurance co.
Citation
Tony Barr, “Re: 60 Minutes II/Where is ACA!,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 1, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/216840.
