We've Come a Long Way, but There's More Work to be Done

The Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) has brought federal and local issues important to those in the limb-loss community to the forefront of our 2010 efforts. Our grassroots work and that of our industry partners have attracted increasing attention federally and statewide. State Parity Utah became the 19th state to pass O&P fair insurance-access legislation. Fourteen more states have introduced legislation, seven of which have heard testimony in committee. We expect four others to reintroduce bills. If your state has not yet passed parity legislation, contact your state representatives today. Our goal: all 50 states! National Parity With the help of the ACA and the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA), Senators Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Tom Harkin (D-IA) have introduced the Federal Prosthetic and Custom Orthotic Parity Act of 2010 (S.3223), which would ensure that all Americans have fair access to mobility devices. The bill bans employers and insurers from imposing stricter limits on insurance coverage for prosthetics and custom orthoses than for other essential medical care. In 2009, a similar bill (HR 2575) was introduced in the House by Representative Robert E. Andrews (D-NJ). (Editor's note: Please see related news article .) TSA Legislation The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) needs to establish consistency, training, and appropriate standards so that people with limb loss are treated fairly at airport security checkpoints. We are working closely with Representative Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) to include language in legislation to ensure this. The ACA is currently compiling data from a survey sent to our entire member database on their experiences with the TSA. The results will be posted on our website and provided to Representative Kennedy. April Is Limb Loss Awareness Month Earlier this year, Congressman John J. Duncan Jr. (R-TN) introduced a resolution to designate April as "Limb Loss Awareness Month." For passage, the resolution needs almost 25 percent of the House to co-sponsor it. We hope April 2011 will be our first Limb Loss Awareness Month. Melanie Staten is the public affairs coordinator for the ACA. To get involved in legislative efforts, contact Dan Ignaszewski, ACA government relations coordinator, at linkEmail('dan','amputee-coalition.org');

We’ve Come a Long Way, but There’s More Work to be Done

Desert Challenge Games Serve as Qualifying Grounds for National, International Events

Orthocare Welcomes Orendurff and Moran

Orthocare Welcomes Orendurff and Moran

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FOR SALE: PROSTHETIC AND ORTHOTIC LABORATORY AND FABRICATION EQUIPMENT, TOOLS AND FITTING ROOM ACCESSORIES:

Lower Extremity Product Manager

Texas Board–Eligible Prosthetist or Licensed Prosthetic Assistant

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We’ve Come a Long Way, but There’s More Work to be Done

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Related posts:

Desert Challenge Games Serve as Qualifying Grounds for National, International Events

Orthocare Welcomes Orendurff and Moran

Orthocare Welcomes Orendurff and Moran

Get unlimited access!

O&P JOBS

FOR SALE: PROSTHETIC AND ORTHOTIC LABORATORY AND FABRICATION EQUIPMENT, TOOLS AND FITTING ROOM ACCESSORIES:

Lower Extremity Product Manager

Texas Board–Eligible Prosthetist or Licensed Prosthetic Assistant

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