Panel advances prosthetic mandate

• By SARAH CHACKO
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: May 15, 2008 - Page: 6A - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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A measure that would require health insurance companies to cover prosthetic devices is nearing the end of the legislative process, having narrowly passed a state Senate committee Wednesday.

State Rep. Chuck Kleckley, R-Lake Charles, told the Senate Committee on Insurance he was approached by the amputee coalition three times before he agreed to make an exception to his normal “no mandate” stance and sponsor House Bill 318.

Kleckley said he was convinced by the numerous stories he heard about people who assumed their health insurance company would cover prosthetics, only to find after an accident it does not.

Those previously hard-working, taxpaying residents then become burdens on the state, having to draw on Medicare and social services to provide for themselves and their families, he said.

“This is not what these people want. They have family, they have spouses, they have children. The last thing they want to do is sit in a wheelchair without the ability to get back to work,” Kleckley said.

HB318 would require coverage for no less than $50,000 per limb per year.

Though committee member state Sen. Dan Morrish voted against the bill, he introduced an amendment exempting the bill from a current moratorium on legislative mandates.

Morrish, R-Jennings, said the moratorium was passed in 2003 on behalf of small businesses that were concerned about the constantly escalating cost of health care. He said for every $1 health insurance premiums increase, 20,000 people become uninsured.

Bridgette Richard with the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry health-care task force opposed the bill on the same points. She voiced concern that small business owners would be required to pay for additional coverage that their employees may not need.

“Whenever you mandate legislation, you’re telling them how to spend their money, and that’s wrong,” Richard said.

Dr. John Rush, chief medical officer for Hanger Orthopedic Group Inc. in Bethesda, Md., said the coverage increased policies from 12 cents to 32 cents per month in the 10 states that already passed similar legislation.

The committee voted 4-3, moving the bill on to the Senate floor.

Voting FOR mandating insurance cover artificial limbs (4): state Sens. Reggie Dupre Jr., D-Houma; Troy Hebert, D-Jeanerette; Julie Quinn, R-Metairie; and Don Cravins Jr., D-Opelousas and sponsor of a similar Senate bill.