Ossur, Reykjavik, Iceland, has donated $20,000 to the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) campaign to ensure fair insurance coverage for prosthetic and orthotic devices. Ossur has been a longtime contributor and supporter of the ACA both through financial sponsorships and working with the organization to reach more amputees.
“The work the ACA has undertaken to pass this important legislation is crucial in order for amputees of any age to receive a prosthesis,” said Mahesh Mansukhani, president of Ossur Americas, Aliso Viejo, California. “Through their work, this nationwide initiative will ensure that access to mobility is not a luxury but a necessity. Ossur is pleased to provide this ongoing contribution and fully supports the work of the ACA in this initiative and other important programs they undertake on behalf of amputees.”
“We greatly appreciate Ossur’s support of this important initiative,” said Kendra Calhoun, ACA president and CEO. “Support from our friends is crucial to our ability to continue to build momentum at the state and federal levels.”In 2009, the ACA had already helped 11 states to pass prosthetic parity laws and was able to introduce and enact prosthetic parity legislation in six more states. With 17 states having now enacted prosthetic parity and a growing number of states continuing to advance legislation this year or introduce legislation in 2010, the ACA stated in a press release that it hopes to continue the momentum.
Additionally, the ACA and several of its partners in activism have been working to ensure that Congress will create minimum standards of insurance coverage in any healthcare-reform bill that it passes. Such standards would include specific language to provide a full complement of durable medical equipment (such as wheelchairs), prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS), and other assistive devices. The ACA stated, “This is essential to ensure that people with limb loss are given the care they need to reach their full potential.”
