ACA ADVOCACY UPDATE, Week of April 27th

From the States
▪ Texas passed the Senate and is awaiting action from the governor. Upon receiving a bill, the governor has 10 days in which to sign the bill, veto it, or allow it to become law without a signature. The bill covers prosthetic and orthotic devices.

▪ Maryland and Virginia are still awaiting the Governor's signature. Governor O’Malley is scheduled to sign a slew of bills on May 17th and 21st. No word yet from Governor Kaine’s office, though we have had a positive response.

▪ The Pennsylvania parity bill was referred to the Health & Human Services Committee. We are waiting for a hearing to be scheduled.

▪ Bills are still in play in WI, CT, MO, TN, and IL.

The Wisconsin bill was introduced on April 27th.

Illinois passed out of the House. A hearing was scheduled for May 6th.

A bill tied to Medicare passed through the Connecticut Insurance Committee (18-1) and Appropriations (48-2), BUT it includes an exemption for microprocessors. This has been a complicated process. The bill started with a $2,500 cap, which we were successful in getting removed. We are trying to get this taken out. We have been in touch with the committee members and leadership. We have local activists and practitioners conducting outreach. We are also working with Otto Bock on getting an official letter in opposition with background/educational information. We have come further this year than any other year, but we want to make sure that the right policy is enacted to provide real access to amputees in Connecticut.

Missouri passed out of both the House and Senate committees, so we are awaiting floor action in both chambers.

The Tennessee bill has been referred to a study committee. The analysis should be completed in the fall in anticipation for the 2010 session.

▪ The AL, NE, NY, ME, ND, and MI bills appear to be stuck. We will work with our activists there to strengthen our efforts for 2010. Many of these states will also be targets for our summer organizing meetings.

The ND bill passed the Senate. It was killed in the House. They are trying to get the language included in other legislation.
NE is pushing to get a committee vote.
ME will come up in the special session. We have scheduled a meeting for May 16th with local leaders to coordinate our activities.
No real action in AL, NY and MI.

▪ Four states are still working to introduce a bill this year (OH, ID, NC and MN).

In Idaho, Minnesota, North Carolina and Ohio bill language has been finalized. They have sponsors confirmed for next year. They may have the opportunity to introduce it this year.

▪ One session has already adjourned for the year without passing legislation (UT).

ON THE HILL
▪ Rep. Andrews has committed to re-introducing the orthotic and prosthetic parity legislation. A timeline of the next 1-2 weeks was mentioned. We are also looking to confirm a meeting with Snowe’s office to finalize the Senate language.