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Senate committee hears emotional appeals, expert testimony in support of SB 408 to expand adult coverage for activity-specific prosthetics
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Summary
Supporters and clinicians told the Senate Health & Human Services Committee that SB 408 would allow adults living with limb loss to access activity-specific prosthetic devices (one every five years), improving mobility and mental health and potentially reducing long-term health costs; the committee moved the bill forward on consent.
Senators heard roughly two hours of testimony on Senate Bill 408 before moving the measure forward. Sponsor Senator Gannon opened the hearing by describing personal and constituent experience with prosthetic devices and arguing that adults should have access to activity-specific prostheses on a five-year cycle to support exercise, work and mental health. Clinicians and recent amputees urged lawmakers to expand coverage beyond the pediatric population previously covered by law.
Trey Simarelli, a certified prosthetist with Full Motion Clinic, told the committee the devices are essential to restore ‘‘mobility’’ and help patients remain active and independent. Hudson Hammer, a recent amputee, said, “Activity specific prosthesis are not a luxury. They are a missing piece of rebuilding a full life,” and urged lawmakers to approve coverage that would allow amputees to return to work and community life.
DJ Betancourt, commissioner of the New Hampshire Insurance Department, told senators the department had updated last year's mandate review to include adults and worked on cost-containment measures in the bill. He summarized the department's findings: about 8,900 adults in commercial fully insured plans are potentially eligible and modelled utilization of 10'30 percent, with coverage limited to one activity-specific device every five years.
Committee action: after public testimony and questions, the committee closed the hearing and recorded a motion that the bill "ought to pass." Members placed the bill on consent and moved it into executive session for further consideration.
What remains: Lawmakers and stakeholders indicated they will continue to refine fiscal assumptions and implementation details with insurers and providers, especially on utilization modeling and state plan inclusion for state employees.
