MAY 3 UPDATE: News flash: Colorado has become the third state to pass So Kids Can Move legislation through both houses of its state legislature. It cleared the state senate unanimously on May 1, and will become law with Gov. Jared Polis’s signature.
And Illinois stands poised to become the 4th state to pass SKCM legislation this cycle. Its bill, which passed the state Senate on March 29, was placed on the House calendar for a floor vote this week. That vote remained pending as of Wednesday morning; we’ll update ASAP.
It has been at least a decade since we’ve seen this much momentum toward legislation that expands amputees’ access to prosthetic devices. To help you stay on top of all the bills as they move through their respective capitals, we’ve compiled this handy tracker. We’ll be updating it throughout the spring and summer, until the last sessions adjourn. And we’ll be letting you know what you can do to improve the odds of success.
NEW MEXICO
Bill number: HB-131 (NM legislative tracker)
Current status: SIGNED INTO LAW: Approved unanimously by House and Senate; signed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on April 7
Next steps:
HOW TO GET INVOLVED: So New Mexicans Can Move
Lead sponsor: Rep. Liz Thomson (D)
Co-sponsors: Rep. Kathleen Cates (D), Rep. Joshua Hernandez (R), Rep. John Block (R), Sen. Siah Correa Hemphill (D), Rep. Gail Armstrong (R)
Citizen advocates: Kyle Stepp, Laura Lewis
About the bill: Requires insurers to cover recreational prosthetic devices for all amputees, regardless of age, if treating physician determines the device is medically necessary. Requires private insurers to offer prosthetic coverage equal to or better than Medicare prosthetic coverage.
Recent media coverage:
New Mexico Sun
Amplitude
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Bill number: SB177-FN (NH legislative tracker)
Current status: Pending before Senate Health and Human Services Committee (read committee report)
Next steps: Committee debate pending
HOW TO GET INVOLVED:
Lead sponsor: Sen. Suzanne Prentiss (D)
Co-sponsors: Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D), Sen. David Watters (D), Sen. Donna Soucy (D), Sen. Rebecca Whitley (D), Sen. Donovan Fenton (D), Sen. Sharon Carson (R), Rep. Bill Bolton (D), Rep. William Palmer (D), Rep. Corrine Morse (D)
Citizen advocates: Noelle Lambert, Jason Lalla
About the bill: Ensures coverage of orthotics and prosthetics for the performance of physical activities for children 18 years of age and younger.
COLORADO
Bill number: HB23-1136 (CO legislative tracker)
Current status: Passed House of Representatives, 62-1, on April 18; unanimously approved by two Senate committees (Health & Human Services and Appropriations)
Next steps: Floor vote before the full Senate
HOW TO GET INVOLVED: Rocky Mountain Orthotic and Prosthetic Coalition
Lead sponsor: Rep. David Ortiz (D)
Co-sponsors: Rep. Anthony Harstook (R), Sen. Faith Winter (D), Sen. Larry Liston (R)
Citizen advocates:
About the bill: Requires insurers to cover recreational prosthetic devices for amputees of all ages if treating physician determines the device is medically necessary.
ARKANSAS
Bill number: HB 1252 (AR legislative tracker)
Current status: SIGNED INTO LAW: Passed full Senate 30-1 on April 5, and full House (as amended by Senate) 95-0 on April 6; signed by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on April 13
Next steps:
HOW TO GET INVOLVED:
Lead sponsor: Rep. Lee Johnson (R)
Co-sponsors: Sen. Missy Irvin (R)
Citizen advocates:
About the bill: Requires insurers to cover the most appropriate prosthetic device that adequately meets the patient’s medical and recreational needs, as determined by the physician and prosthetist. These provisions apply only to K-3 and K-4 amputees, as per a Senate amendment.
INDIANA
Bill number: HB 1433 (IN legislative tracker)
Current status: Passed House of Representatives (91-0) on 2/23; passed Senate Committee on Health & Provider Services 11-0 on 3/15
Next steps: Referred to Senate Committee on Appropriations
HOW TO GET INVOLVED:
Lead sponsor: Rep. Harold Slager (R)
Co-sponsors: Rep. Julie Olthoff (R), Rep. Rita Fleming (D), Rep. Brad Barrett (R), Sen. Justin Busch (R), Sen. Rick Niemeyer (R)
Citizen advocates:
About the bill: Requires insurers to cover recreational prosthetic devices for all amputees aged 18 or younger if treating physician determines the device is medically necessary. Requires private insurers to offer prosthetic coverage to all amputees, regardless of age, equal to or better than Medicare prosthetic coverage.
ILLINOIS
Bill number: SB 2195 (IL legislative tracker)
Current status: Passed full Senate 59-0 on 3/29; unanimously approved by House Insurance Committee on 4/25
Next steps: Floor vote before the full House
HOW TO GET INVOLVED:
Lead sponsor: Sen. Ann Gillespie (D)
Co-sponsors:
Citizen advocates:
About the bill: Requires insurers to cover recreational prosthetic devices for all amputees aged 18 or younger if treating physician determines the device is medically necessary. Requires private insurers to offer prosthetic coverage to all amputees, regardless of age, equal to or better than Medicare prosthetic coverage.
MAINE
Bill number: LD 1003, Act To Improve Outcomes for Persons with Limb Loss
Current status: Enacted May 7, 2022
Lead sponsor: Rep. Colleen Madigan (D)
Co-sponsors: Cathy Breen (D)
Citizen advocates: Jordan Simpson
About the bill: Requires insurers to cover recreational prosthetic devices for all amputees aged 18 or younger if treating physician determines the device is medically necessary.
