Committee holds hearing on adding prosthetic coverage to state health plan; action deferred pending fiscal note

The committee held a hearing on House Bill 951 (LC520886), which would add prosthetic and orthotic parity to the state health benefit plan so state employees would have the same coverage commercial plans currently provide.

The bill’s sponsor said the legislation would bring parity across commercial plans and the state plan, allowing additional prostheses when medically necessary. Current law, as discussed in the hearing, effectively limits state-plan beneficiaries to one prosthesis every three years unless a physician documents physiological change or other medical need.

Witnesses and clinicians described real-world impacts: denied shower or running prostheses, work limitations and safety concerns. Rachel Ayer and a clinic representative described cases presented in prior hearings; a clinic patient, Hannah Nabors, testified that after a below-the-knee amputation she is limited to one leg every three years under the state plan and needs different devices (shower, running) to maintain employment, safety and health. “A shower prosthetic is not a luxury. It’s essential for safety, independence, and dignity,” Nabors said.

The chair made the hearing a nonvoting item because the committee lacked a fiscal note; members and sponsors agreed to reconvene when the fiscal analysis is completed. The committee closed the hearing and will consider the bill again if and when the fiscal note is returned.