Don’t let this happen

I am writing to speak up for amputees and persons with chronic limb impairment. Several states have taken the extreme steps of trying to modify Medicaid benefits so that the state would deny access to artificial limbs. I am asking you to keep this from happening in our state.

Opposing cuts to O&P benefits is an appeal to both fairness and fiscal responsibility. Studies (e.g. “Prosthetic and Orthotic Adult Benefit,” Colorado Department of Health Care Policy) have concluded that providing this essential health benefit saves money by helping patients avoid costly co-morbid medical conditions. O&P care permits patients to return to gainful employment and ends their dependency on federal/state assistance programs.

I know the economy is bad and states face serious budgetary crises. I just didn’t know that things are so bad that states would take artificial limbs from amputees. Thank you for your consideration and any help you can provide to assure that this never happens in our state.

Patricia Hartman

Montpelier