Prosthetic Parity Hearing in NJ on 6/12!

Morgan Sheets

Description

Title:

Prosthetic Parity Hearing in NJ on 6/12!

Creator:

Morgan Sheets

Date:

6/9/2006

Text:

Amputee Coalition of America <Email Address Redacted>

 

The efforts to win insurance parity in New Jersey are moving forward!

 

The Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee heard A1011, a bill for prosthetic coverage back in the winter. Chairperson, Assemblyman Neil Cohen said that the fiscal impact of the bill appeared to be nominal and that there was no reason to keep it from moving forward. The only opposition filed was by the Chamber of Commerce.

 

The bill has been stuck in committee since then, but now we have a chance to pass it onto the House floor for a full vote. This is very exciting news, but we need your help!!

 

?Call the committee today to urge them to support A1011!

* Contact the committee members electronically by clicking on the link below. Select the municipality/district and fill out the online form. ( <URL Redacted> < <URL Redacted>> )

 

* A sample e-mail with talking points is included below.

 

Chair: Assemblyman Neil Cohen (D) Vice-Chair: Assemblyman Michael Panter (D)

Phone: (908) 624-0880 Phone: (732) 544-2116

Municipality: Union, District 20 Municipality: Shrewsbury, District 12

                        

Assemblyman Christopher Bateman (R) Assemblyman Jack Connors (D)

Phone: (908) 526-3600 Phone: (856) 461-3997

Municipality: Somerville, District 16 Municipality: Delran, District 7

 

Assemblyman John F. McKeon (D) Assemblywoman Charlotte Vandervalk (R)

Phone: (973) 275-1113 Phone: (201) 666-0881

Municipality: South Orange, District 27 Municipality: Westwood, District 39

 

Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski (D)

Phone: (732) 316-1885

Municipality: Carteret, District 19

 

Sample E-mail

Dear Assemblyman/Assemblywoman,

I am writing to thank asks for your support of A1011, a bill that would require health benefits coverage for orthotic and prosthetic appliances when it comes before your committee on Monday, June 12th.

 

In return for premiums paid for group health insurance, consumers expect to be covered for catastrophic illness or injury. Sadly, without legislation to ensure coverage, many people living with the loss or absence of a limb are facing discouraging obstacles when trying to obtain prosthetic care. Current changes in insurance plans are having a devastating effect on amputees and their families.



 

Right now many people with limb loss are being told that their insurance company restricts them to one prosthesis per lifetime or to $2,500 or less in prosthetic care. That is why your support of this bill is so important.

 

Obviously, the biggest concern anybody has about passing a new mandate is cost. People fear that big jumps in the cost of insurance will reduce access to health care. None of us want to see health insurance costs pushed beyond the reach of the average consumer. Our best financial data comes from Colorado. They were the first state to pass prosthetic parity legislation in 1998.

A Department of Health Care Policy & Financing report found that the maximum increase in premiums for prosthetic provision would be about 12 cents per month. This cost estimate did not take into account that there would also be a cost savings by both the private and public sector.

 

Both the financial and social benefits provide a strong case for prosthetic coverage. I urge you to support of A1011. This bill will help ensure that people with limb loss are given the opportunity to lead a full and productive life.

 

Sincerely,

 Your Name and Address

 

 

 
Morgan Sheets
National Campaign Director for APPLL (Action Plan for People with Limb Loss)
Amputee Coalition of America
Direct ph. 202-742-1880
Cell Ph. 202-302-4373
Fax: (866) 599-8994
<URL Redacted> < http://www.amputee-coalition.org >
 
Check out the latest edition of our APPLL Core: Access to Care newsletter: http://www.amputee-coalition.org/appll_access/access-0506.pdf .

                          

Citation

Morgan Sheets, “Prosthetic Parity Hearing in NJ on 6/12!,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 24, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/226832.