There are approximately 45,000 amputations in Texas annually. Many adult Texans who rely on Medicaid for their health care needs are denied access to orthotic and prosthetic devices (O&P) which could improve their quality of life. Texas is the only state that does not cover these devices for people over 20 years old who have disabilities such as amputations. Without orthotic and prosthetic devices, Texans receiving Medicaid benefits face more challenges in living independently, working, and avoiding further health complications. These bills aim to change that by extending coverage to the adult Medicaid population and allowing them to benefit from the rehabilitation and independence that O&P care can provide.

Passing S.B. 1466/H.B. 5544 is a matter of ensuring that Texans with disabilities can get medically necessary care. It would also save money in the long run by preventing costly hospitalizations and ER visits that result from the lack of proper care. S.B. 1466/H.B. 5544 is a sensible solution to a serious problem.

H.B. 426 aims to provide insurance coverage for cranial remodeling orthoses (CRO), which are used to treat infants with head shape deformities such as plagiocephaly. The bill sets the criteria and guidelines for CRO eligibility, which are based on the current best practices and clinical standards in the U.S. H.B. 426 also seeks to ensure that infants who need CROs can access them in a timely manner, without facing financial barriers or delays that could compromise their outcomes.

Passage of the bill will help alleviate the emotional distress and frustration of parents who cannot afford CROs and is a step towards improving the quality of care and the well-being of infants and families affected by head shape deformities.

Activity-specific orthotic and prosthetic devices are designed to help people with disabilities perform specific physical or recreational activities, such as running, swimming, or hunting. However, these devices are often not covered by insurance plans, which limits their availability and affordability. Many states have introduced or enacted legislation that requires insurance plans to cover activity-specific O&P devices based on the evidence that they can improve the health and well-being of people with disabilities and reduce the long-term costs of healthcare and social services.

Eight states (Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and New Mexico) have already passed such legislation, and 30 more states have either introduced bills or are building coalitions to prepare for bill introduction.

To rally support for our legislative bills, and to celebrate Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month (LLLDAM), more than 100 patients, clinicians, employees of Hanger and Ottobock and others in the O&P community will be gathering at the Texas State Capitol by the Texas Cowboy Monument statue at 2:00pm on April 16^th (look for the big group of orange shirts) to talk about the importance of access to orthotic and prosthetic care.