Featuring Maryland and Minnesota
By Ana-Maria Gutierrez, Senior Communications Manager
Photo by Margie O’Loughlin
It’s been just over 19 months since the first iteration of the SO Every BODY Can Move Campaign, then called “So Kids Can Move” was launched. What started as a piece of legislation in Maine which covered prosthetic and orthotic care necessary for children’s physical activity is now a national movement seeking to establish physical activity prosthetic and orthotic coverage at all ages. With five states now having passed legislation affiliated with the So Every BODY Can Move Campaign, and momentum building across the nation, I want to highlight two states where advocates are currently leading the charge for So Every BODY Can Move.
In Maryland, advocates led by Sheryl Sachs as well as John Edward Heath and Steve McDonald have been working with State Senator Pamela Beidle to pass Senate Bill 614, which would provide significant benefits to people living with limb loss and limb difference. SB614 would, in addition to providing coverage for activity-specific orthotic and prosthetic care, would also expand existing insurance fairness provisions, and implement nondiscrimination standards for orthotic and prosthetic care.
In Maryland and across the nation, advocates are fighting against the fact that many insurance providers consider the kinds of orthotic and prosthetic care required for physical activity to be “not medically necessary.” Insurance companies may consider a device like a running leg to be a luxury, rather than something that a person with limb loss or limb difference may need in order to stay active. The Amputee Coalition, as a member of the So Every BODY Can Move Coalition, believes that movement is medicine, not a luxury. We believe that people with limb loss and limb difference should have the choice to be active, which means having access to orthotic and prosthetic care designed for physical activity.
Minnesota is another state where So Every BODY Can Move advocates have been fighting for legislation. Lead Advocate Teri Kuffel had this to say about the Minnesota campaign:
From left to right at a committee hearing in Maryland are Peter Thomas, JD; Maryland Senator Pam Beidle; and advocates Nathan, Steven, and John-Edward.”
Photo by Ron Sachs
“SEBCM MN is in the middle of committee hearings for both SF 3351 and HF 3339. We passed through first hearings for commerce in both chambers and will move to the respective health/finance/policy committees next. On Wednesday 3/13/2024 we will (have) the event at our Capitol which includes morning meetings with legislators, afternoon rally in the rotunda and MN’s first ever mobility clinic at the Capitol. It will be an incredible event with a great showing of O&P grassroots advocates from across the state of MN. We look forward to taking next steps towards passage of this proposed legislation in MN.”
The So Every BODY Can Move movement is made possible by advocates like Teri who are willing to organize in their communities, speak to state legislators, and fight for fair treatment for everyone who needs an orthotic or prosthetic device designed for physical activity.
Our goal for the So Every BODY Can Move Campaign is 28 by 28, or, passing So Every BODY Can Move legislation in 28 states by 2028. Passing SEBCM legislation in 28 states by 2028, the year the Olympics and Paralympics come to the United States, would not only be a significant win for people with limb loss and limb difference in those states with SEBCM Legislation, it would also be a strong foundation for potential federal legislation. However, we can’t get there without your help. If you’re interested in joining the fight for coverage of orthotic and prosthetic devices designed for physical activity, we encourage you to get connected. Check out the So Every BODY Can Move website at soeverybodycanmove.org, follow @soeverybodycanmove on social media, make a post in the Advocacy Community on AC Connect, or reach out to our government relations team at advocacy@amputee-coalition.org to get connected.