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Supporters urge coverage for sports-specific prosthetic limbs in hearing on SB 132
Summary
Amputees, prosthetists and advocates told the Senate Health & Human Services Committee that sports-specific prosthetic limbs improve health and quality of life and urged passage of Senate Bill 132 to require insurance coverage for them for adults.
Testifiers at a Senate Health and Human Services Committee hearing urged lawmakers to expand insurance coverage to include activity- or sports-specific prosthetic limbs for adults, arguing the devices prevent long-term injuries, lower health care costs and restore quality of life.
John Parker, who identified himself as an amputee, told the committee he lost part of his lower right leg in a high‑speed skiing accident and said sports‑specific prostheses — which can cost more than $10,000 — let amputees remain physically active. “This isn’t just about skiing for me. It’s about maintaining the physical and mental health,” Parker said. He told senators that without specialized prosthetics he must place more weight on his remaining limb and faces greater risk of injury and additional medical care.
Chris Phillips, a prosthetist and business owner from Durham, said many working‑age amputees lack access to higher‑activity prosthetic components through their plans and instead rely on a single everyday leg. He described how components designed for running or skiing change patients’ ability to exercise and re‑engage in family activities. “Some of those components can be thousands of dollars,” Phillips told the committee, adding that trial fittings and variety of modular attachments matter for cost‑effectiveness and long‑term use.
Jason Walla, an amputee and prosthetist, told senators the socket — the custom interface between limb and device — is usually the longest‑lasting part for long‑term amputees, but new amputees often need replacement sockets every two to three years. Walla cited warranty periods on many components and estimated that, for active people, a sports prosthesis’ components often last three to five years depending on use.
Committee questions focused on expected replacement frequency, what parts can be swapped (attachments versus whole prosthesis), and whether insurers already pay for any activity components. Phillips and Walla described options such as different feet or couplers that permit attachments, and noted many insurers currently deny coverage for purpose‑built activity components, leaving patients to pay out of pocket or seek charitable aid.
No vote was taken in the hearing. Several senators thanked the testifiers and asked staff to follow up on technical details and potential fiscal impacts if coverage is mandated.
Ending
Senators heard firsthand how prosthetic technology can support long‑term health and community participation for amputees. Committee staff indicated they would analyze cost estimates and warranty/usage data before drafting next steps for SB 132.
