[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 79 (Thursday, May 21, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1239]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF THE PROSTHETIC AND CUSTOM ORTHOTIC PARITY ACT OF 2009

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                         HON. ROBERT E. ANDREWS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 21, 2009

  Mr. ANDREWS. Madam Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues to 
introduce the ``Prosthetic and Custom Orthotic Parity Act of 2009 
(PCOPA).'' At a time when health care costs are rising by about 7 
percent annually, the financial hardship on those in need of prosthetic 
and custom orthotic devices is devastating. Yet, by expanding coverage 
for prosthetic and custom orthotic devices so that it is on par with 
other types of essential care, not only will provide amputees with 
proper treatment, which will allow them to experience a better quality 
of life, but save our health care system money in the long-term. That 
is, prosthetic and orthotic devices often dramatically decrease 
secondary health problems for those in need of such a device.
  The Prosthetic and Custom Orthotic Parity Act would address the 
significant health insurance inequity that amputees in our society 
currently face by requiring insurance companies that offer prosthetic 
and custom orthotic services to provide the same level of coverage as 
they do for medical and surgical services. Specifically PCOPA would 
provide coverage of prosthetic and custom orthotic devices, as well as 
their repair and replacement, under the same terms and conditions 
applicable to the other medical and surgical benefits provided under 
the health insurance policy.
  Currently, eleven states have addressed this problem and have enacted 
prosthetic and/or custom orthotic ``parity'' legislation. Furthermore, 
prosthetic and/or custom orthotic parity legislation has been 
introduced and is being actively considered in thirty other states.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this important piece of 
legislation that will help put an end to the inequity many Americans 
who have lost a limb by way of a tragic event as well as those living 
with cerebral palsy and alike, experience when denied coverage by their 
insurance company.

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