Support for HR2820 - The Reconstructive Surgery Act
Support HR2820, the Reconstructive Surgery Act! For more information, visit our advocacy website at http://www.aica-advocates.blogspot.com/.
For information about support and services, visit http://www.cleftadvocate.org and http://www.ameriface.org.
You, or someone you love, can become a craniofacial patient at any time.
An accident, an animal attack, a burn, a stroke, a disease, or the joyous birth of a child. In a blink of an eye, life can change.
According to a report issued in January 2006 by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), orofacial clefts are now the number one most common birth defects in the United States (http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r060105.htm).
Thousands of babies are born each year with vascular anomalies, such as venous malformations, hemangiomas and port wine stains.
Many more individuals become craniofacial patients each year due to burns, trauma and diseases like oral/head/neck cancer.
Unfortunately, there has been much documentation of families and individuals having to fight to receive the medically-necessary treatment and reconstructive surgery needed to live a healthy, normal life.
The Reconstructive Surgery Act (HR2820) was re-introduced by Congressman Mike Ross of Arkansas on June 21, 2007. Under this legislation, health insurance and managed care companies will be forced to recognize that ongoing medical procedures needed by craniofacial patients are not cosmetic, but are reconstructive in nature.
While some states have laws guaranteeing coverage for treatment and surgery for patients with craniofacial abnormalities, most of them (as well as proposed federal legislation similar to HR2820) guarantee coverage for patients only to age 21; unfortunately, craniofacial conditions do not simply disappear when a child reaches adulthood and many patients do not even acquire their condition until adulthood. State laws also do not address the issue of self-insured funds.
We encourage members of Congress to research and co-sponsor HR2820. This legislation is designed to protect citizens from discrimination in health care. The need for this initiative is far greater than you may think.
Along with constituent letters collected from around the country, we will submit this petition not only to Congressman Mike Ross to share with his colleagues in the House, but we will also submit a copy to each and every member Congress personally. We look forward to finding a Senator equally as dedicated as Mr. Ross to introduce this legislation on the Senate side.
For more information, visit our website at http://www.aica-advocates.blogspot.com/.
Support HR2820, the Reconstructive Surgery Act! For more information, visit our advocacy website at http://www.aica-advocates.blogspot.com/.
For information about support and services, visit http://www.cleftadvocate.org and http://www.ameriface.org.
You, or someone you love, can become a craniofacial patient at any time.
An accident, an animal attack, a burn, a stroke, a disease, or the joyous birth of a child. In a blink of an eye, life can change.
According to a report issued in January 2006 by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), orofacial clefts are now the number one most common birth defects in the United States (http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r060105.htm).
Thousands of babies are born each year with vascular anomalies, such as venous malformations, hemangiomas and port wine stains.
Many more individuals become craniofacial patients each year due to burns, trauma and diseases like oral/head/neck cancer.
Unfortunately, there has been much documentation of families and individuals having to fight to receive the medically-necessary treatment and reconstructive surgery needed to live a healthy, normal life.
The Reconstructive Surgery Act (HR2820) was re-introduced by Congressman Mike Ross of Arkansas on June 21, 2007. Under this legislation, health insurance and managed care companies will be forced to recognize that ongoing medical procedures needed by craniofacial patients are not cosmetic, but are reconstructive in nature.
While some states have laws guaranteeing coverage for treatment and surgery for patients with craniofacial abnormalities, most of them (as well as proposed federal legislation similar to HR2820) guarantee coverage for patients only to age 21; unfortunately, craniofacial conditions do not simply disappear when a child reaches adulthood and many patients do not even acquire their condition until adulthood. State laws also do not address the issue of self-insured funds.
We encourage members of Congress to research and co-sponsor HR2820. This legislation is designed to protect citizens from discrimination in health care. The need for this initiative is far greater than you may think.
Along with constituent letters collected from around the country, we will submit this petition not only to Congressman Mike Ross to share with his colleagues in the House, but we will also submit a copy to each and every member Congress personally. We look forward to finding a Senator equally as dedicated as Mr. Ross to introduce this legislation on the Senate side.
For more information, visit our website at http://www.aica-advocates.blogspot.com/.
As your constituents, we are signing this petition urging you to co-sponsor The Reconstructive Surgery Act of 2007 (HR2820), introduced by Congressman Mike Ross of Arkansas on June 21. Signers are from all over the United States, living in many Congressional districts.
According to a report issued in January 2006 by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), orofacial clefts are now the number one most common birth defects in the United States (http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r060105.htm).
Thousands of babies are born each year with vascular anomalies, such as venous malformations, hemangiomas and port wine stains.
Many more individuals become craniofacial patients each year due to burns, trauma and diseases like oral/head/neck cancer.
Unfortunately, there has been much documentation of families and individuals having to fight to receive the medically-necessary treatment and reconstructive surgery needed to live a healthy, normal life.
The Reconstructive Surgery Act (HR2820) was re-introduced by Congressman Mike Ross of Arkansas on June 21, 2007. Under this legislation, health insurance and managed care companies will be forced to recognize that ongoing medical procedures needed by craniofacial patients are not cosmetic, but are reconstructive in nature.
While some states have laws guaranteeing coverage for treatment and surgery for patients with craniofacial abnormalities, most of them (as well as proposed federal legislation similar to HR2820) guarantee coverage for patients only to age 21; unfortunately, craniofacial conditions do not simply disappear when a child reaches adulthood and many patients do not even acquire their condition until adulthood. State laws also do not address the issue of self-insured funds.
We encourage you to research and co-sponsor HR2820. This legislation is designed to protect citizens from discrimination in health care. The need for this initiative is far greater than you may think.
We look forward to hearing from you or your health care legislative aide, and to seeing your name on the list of co-sponsors of HR2820.
For more information, visit our website at
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because at any time or at any moment a life changing experience can happen to me or anyone else. my son was born with a bilateral cleft palette and i can see why hr2820 would come in handy! the U.S. citizens are paying a lot of money each year for insurance and don't get a lot out of it. i believe hr2820 would help!
i am a parent of a child with a bilateral cleft and palette. i hope this passes for the sake of others who need the help with financial burdens that the insurance companies don't want to pay. it's a shame that people pay all this money for insurance and get nothing but headaches.
One of my best friends has a daughter born with a cleft palate and is going to undergo surgery a few times to correct the problem. She is an amazing woman who loves her daughter very much and I want the very best for her and her family.
I HAVE A DAUGHTER BORN WITH A CLEFT PALATE
YES
My grandaughter was born with a clef lip. She will be undergoing several surgerys in the near and far future.
My baby cousin has a cleft palet.
My grandson was born with acleft lip and palette.
Grandmother
My son was born with a cleft lip and palate a
i am a parent
My great nephew was born with a severe cleft palate/lip. Without the reconstructive surgery, he would always have problems with speech, eating, breathing, and would be the butt of children's jokes for life.
NO, but am related to a child who was born with these defects.
My daughter was born with a bilateral cleft lip & palate. She has had 8 surgeries & will need serveral more. We need all the medical help we can get.
Parent of a child with a craniofacial need.
This has affected my family as my daughter was born with a cleft lip and palate. She was one of triplets and the only one with a birth defect which they ruled as non-genetic. The medical bills for this type of surgery that will last until her teens are astronomical. Thankfully our insurance covered most of the cost. I know that is not always the case.
For people to feel like they belong with the rest of the individuals that exist in our society, a sense of normality is crucial. Every person needs the chance to make the decisions of how they are unique, but overall, people need to look similar to feel a sense of belonging; nose, eyes, ears, mouth. A person who is born with a cranio-facial malformity, or whom suffers trauma is no different. People in these types of situations need an avenue thru which to find financial assistance and health care providers for treatment. Be it insurance, public health, or private assistance programs, individuals are in great need of treatment without difficulty.
Are you an individual with a craniofacial condition, or a parent or caregiver of a child with a craniofacial condition? My son has a cranio-facial malformation, he was born with a cleft lip and palate. He will need continued treatment and surgeries for an undefined time throughout his life.
My son was born with a unilateral cleft lip and palate.
I am the father to a child born with a cleft lip and palate.
People who need serious help should be able to receive it.
No but I do have friends and an accident could always happen.
My son was born with a unilateral cleft lip and palate.
I am a parent of a child with a craniofacial need.
People with craniofacial issues should not have to fight with insurance companies and jump through so many hoops to get the help they need. This isn't a cosmetic issue.
Our beautiful great grandaughter was born with bi-lateral cleft lip and cleft palate.She has already undergone 5 surgeries with more to follow.
My neice is requiring this surgery and the price is far beyond their means. Insurance companies should be required to pay for these type of surgeries.
My great grandaughter was born with clef palate, clef lip
No
My daughter was born with a bi lateral cleft lip and palate and has undergone 5 surgeries so far and will need more down the road.
Parent of a beautiful daughter who has a cleft.
This act is very important to me due to having a child born with a cleft lip and palate. Our insurance providers should not be able to decide when the treatment is done, some have problems their entire life.
I am a mother of a beautiful daughter born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate.
My daughter was born with a cleft lip and palete. Having a cleft comes with so many other complications therefore it is not cosmetic.
I am a parent with a child with a craniofacial.
My son was born with a Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palete, TAPVR Heart defect, Trechea/Esephogial Fistula, and several holes in his heart, August 15, 2007. Our Insurance maxed out his coverage at $25,000.00, as a first year employee benifit. Jakob's first day of life cost over $60,000.00, his first week totaled over $150,000.00. We were told that the insurance could cover nothing else until January 1, 2008. Jakob was denied prescriptions, and imunizations, making new appointments with Dr's and his Craniofacial team untill the insurance kicked back in.
I am a mother of a 1yr old with a unilateral cleft lip and palete
