Follow the progress of So Everybody Can Move legislation in every state that has an active bill.
JULY 2024 UPDATE: Nearly every state’s legislative session has ended for 2024, so it’s time to tally up the victories for the So EveryBODY Can Move initiative. Maryland, Minnesota, and New Hampshire all joined the SEBCM club this year, bringing the nationwide tally to eight states. Two bills remain active in late-adjourning legislatures:
- New Jersey’s bill passed the state senate 40-0 in late June and moved on to the state assembly. New Jersey’s legislature operates on a two-year cycle, so its bills (S14239 and A3856) won’t expire until December 2025.
- Massachusetts has nudged its SEBCM bill through two House committees as of early June. The Massachusetts legislature adjourns on July 31, so it’s running out of time to take action.
Meanwhile, planning is already well underway for 2025. One big event, the 28 x 28 Mobility Challenge, has been underway throughout July. At last check, this project had raised $65,000 to support future SEBCM organizing and advocacy. The goal of $75,000 is well within reach; add your dollars and cents to the cause at the SEBCM website.
And, as you can see by the map, plenty of states are still looking for advocates to get SEBCM off the ground. National organizers have launched a robust new version of their website, soeverybodycanmove.org, to centralize coordination, outreach, and strategy. Head over there if you’d like to lend your efforts to the cause in your state. The national effort is being led by the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA), Amputee Coalition, National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics (NAAOP), and American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP).
BILLS PENDING IN 2024
NEW JERSEY
Bill number: S1439 / A3856 (NJ legislative tracker)
Current status: Approved 40-0 by Senate on June 28
Next steps: Pending before House Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee
SHELF LIFE: Must pass Assembly by December 2025, or will need to be reintroduced in 2026 session
2022-23 history: Passed Senate 35-0 but failed to win Assembly approval before end of session
Lead sponsors: Sen. Troy Singleton (D), Sen. Anthony Bucco (R)
Co-sponsors: Sen. Patrick Diegnan (D), Rep. Herb Conaway (D)
Citizen advocates: Steve Slawinski, CO
About the bill: Requires coverage for all devices that are determined by the patient’s physician to be necessary for physical and recreational activities, including running, bicycling, swimming, climbing, skiing, snowboarding, and team and individual sports. Reimbursement is tied to federal Medicare reimbursement rates.
MASSACHUSETTS
Bill number: H.4096 (MA legislative tracker)
Current status: Approved by Joint Committee on Financial Services on April 4; approved by Joint House/Senate Committee on Health Care Financing on June 3
Next steps: Referred to House Ways and Means Committee
SHELF LIFE: Bill must pass both houses by July 31, 2024, or it will expire and need to be reintroduced in 2025
Lead sponsor: Rep. Mathew Muratore (R)
Co-sponsors: Rep. Hannah Kane (R), Rep. Kathleen La Natra (D), Rep. Norman Orrall (R), Rep. Kimberly Ferguson (R), Rep. David DeCoste (R), Rep. Lindsey Sabadosa (D), Rep. Michelle Ciccolo (D), Rep. Marcus Vaughn (R), Sen. Patrick O’Connor (R), Rep. Christopher Hendricks (D), Rep. Joseph McKenna (R), Rep. Patrick Kearney (D), Rep. David Vieira (R)
Citizen advocates: Maggie Baumer, NAAOP
About the bill: Requires coverage for prosthetic devices, as prescribed by a physician or nurse practitioner, that support performance of physical activities or athletic activities to maximize patients’ ability to ambulate, run, bike and swim, and to maximize upper limb function.
BILLS CLOSED FOR 2024
INDIANA
Bill number: HB 1428 (IN legislative tracker)
Current status: Pending before House Public Health Committee; fiscal analysis filed Jan 11, 2024
Next steps:
2023 history: Passed House of Representatives (91-0) on February 20 as HB 1433; approved by Senate Health and Provider Services Committee (11-0) but never reached Senate Floor
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), Sen. Linda Rogers (R), Sen. Shelli Yoder (D), Sen. Mike Bohacek (R), Sen. Ed Charbonneau (R)
Citizen advocates: Eric Schopmeyer CO, Nick Rhoad
About the bill: Requires secretary of family and social services to apply waivers necessary to include prosthetic and orthotic devices under Medicaid. Specifies that minors may receive prosthetic or orthotic devices for the recipient’s medical needs. Requires reimbursement for the replacement of an orthotic or prosthetic device for a minor for certain reasons.
Media: Indiana Capital Chronicle (5/31/23)
TENNESSEE
Bill number: HB 1992 / SB 2010 (TN legislative tracker)
Current status: Assigned to Senate Commerce + Labor Committee / House Insurance Committee
Next steps: Senate Committee hearing Mar 12
Lead sponsors: Sen. Shane Reeves (R), Rep. Darren Jernigan (D)
Co-sponsors:
Citizen advocates: Joseph Huntsman, David Seaman
About the bill: Requires insurers to cover prosthetic devices deemed medically necessary for activities of daily living, essential job-related activities, physical activities, or maximizing whole-body health and lower or upper limb function. Includes Fair Insurance provisions.
NEBRASKA
Bill number: LB 1274 (NE legislative tracker)
Current status: Pending before Banking, Commerce + Insurance Committee
Next steps: Committee hearing Feb 20
Lead sponsor: Sen. John Cavanaugh (D)
Co-sponsors:
Citizen advocates: Vincent Lau
About the bill: Enacts Fair Insurance provisions
BILLS ENACTED IN 2022-2024
MINNESOTA
Bill numbers: HF 3339 / SF 3351 (MN House tracker / MN Senate tracker)
Current status: Passed both chambers on 5/20/24, as part of omnibus healthcare package
Next steps: SIGNED INTO LAW
TAKE ACTION: Contact legislators (info here); attend mobility clinic in Capitol rotunda on March 13 (register here)
Citizen advocates: Teri Kuffel, Aaron Holm
Lead sponsor: Rep. Erin Koegel (D), Sen. John Hoffman (D)
Co-sponsors: Rep. Zach Stephenson (D), Rep. Brian Daniels (R), Rep. Heather Edelson (D), Rep. Hodan Hassan (D), Sen. Jim Abeler (R), Sen. Matt Klein (D), Sen. Kelly Morrison (D), Sen. Karin Housley (R)
About the bill: Requires health plans to cover prostheses determined by patient’s provider to be most appropriate for meeting medical needs and for performing physical activities, including but not limited to running, biking, and swimming. Also covers prostheses for showering and bathing. Insurer may require prior authorization. Includes Fair Insurance provisions.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Bill number: SB177-FN (NH legislative tracker)
Current status: Approved by full Senate, as amended, on 1/3/24; approved by full House 5/23/24
Next steps: SIGNED INTO LAW
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 medically necessary prosthetic devices for children up to 19 years of age. Insurers may impose an annual limit of one activity-specific prosthetic device per year. Small businesses are exempt. Provisions take effect January 1, 2025.
MARYLAND
Bill number: SB 614 / HB 865 (MD legislative tracker)
Current status: Passed Senate 45-0 on March 18; passed House 129-1 on April 5
Next steps: SIGNED INTO LAW
Lead sponsor: Sen. Pamela Beidle (D)
Co-sponsors: Sen. Sarah Elfreth (D), Del. Ashanti Martinez (D), Del. Gabriel Acevero (D), Del. Tiffany Alston (D), Del. Heather Bagnall (D), Del. Robbyn Lewis (D), Del. Jeffrie Long Jr. (D), Del. Denise Roberts (D), Del. Kym Taylor (D), Del. Veronica Turner (D), Del. Nicole Williams (D), Del. Jamila Woods (D)
Citizen advocates: Sheryl Sachs, John-Edward Heath, Steve McDonald
About the bill: Requires insurers to cover all devices deemed medically necessary by a physician for activities of daily living, essential job-related activities, and/or physical activities such as running, biking, swimming, strength training, or other activities necessary to maximize whole-body health. Also requires insurers to cover replacement devices and components, as deemed necessary by healthcare provider. Fiscal and Policy Note filed.
Media coverage: WMAR-Baltimore
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, 2023
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
COLORADO
Bill number: HB23-1136 (CO legislative tracker)
Current status: SIGNED INTO LAW
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
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.
ILLINOIS
Bill number: SB 2195 (IL legislative tracker)
Current status: SIGNED INTO LAW
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: SIGNED INTO LAW: 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.
