Prosthetic Parity for Minnesota

Patient Profile: Mary Plaster, age 21, St. Paul

Mary Plaster

How did you lose your limb? I lost my limb on Aug. 27th 2008, which was my 21st birthday. I had been celebrating with some family and friends at a restaurant in St. Paul. My friend and I left and were putting gifts into the trunk of his car when a man fleeing from the police crashed into the car that was parked behind us, crushing us between the two cars. After many failed attempts at saving my left leg it had to be amputated below the knee.

How would the Prosthetic Parity Law affect you? Thankfully I do have insurance that covers 80% of my prosthetic needs, but I would like to make sure that my insurance never has the chance at cutting my coverage in the future.

How would the bill affect Minnesotans? The added cost to insurance premiums is only about $0.15 per month, but it would save tens of thousands of dollars in medical costs. It would also give the 23,000 Minnesotans living with a prosthetic device the peace of mind that they will be covered for a device that allows them to live a normal life.

Have you ever experienced problems with insurance coverage? Thankfully, I have not experienced any major problems with my insurance coverage.

Aaron Holm

Patient Profile: Aaron Holm

How did you lose your limbs? I was struck by a motorist while changing a tire.

The result of the impact was the loss of both legs, above the knee.

How would the Prosthetic Parity Law affect you? Personally I was covered by a Workman Compensation Claim. Because my claim allowed me access to prosthetic

knees / legs I was able to:
- Return to work (full time) within 7 months of the accident.
- Travel for both personal and business within 8 months of the accident.
- Complete 24 rounds of golf within 9 months of the accident.

How would the bill affect Minnesotans? It would enable individuals who have suffered the loss of a limb / limbs to restore the quality and quantity of life they once were accustomed to.

Have you ever experienced problems with insurance coverage? Because my claim is Workman Compensation - I have been granted the tools that the medical community have prescribed as necessary. I am confident that I would not have been able to accomplish everything that I have since losing my legs - without the proper coverage.

Patient Profile: Nick Nelson, age 10, Rosemount

Nick Nelson

  In 2008 Nick opted to amputate both his legs after dealing with a condition since birth that   confined him to a wheelchair. His mother, Greta Nelson, provided us with this insight on the   prosthetic parity bill.

  How would passing this bill affect your family? Nick will be an adult someday. Passing the   prosthetic parity bill guarantees that he'll be able to live his life to the fullest extent without   worry. He'll get the things he needs to have a decent life.

  How would passing the bill affect people in Minnesota? As a local, state and national   community, it is so important for us to support each other. We need to make the laws and   support the movements for each other's sake. When we make the effort to do that in support of   others, we can make such big, wonderful changes for people who need that extra support.

  Have you ever had any issues with your insurance coverage? We are very fortunate to have   good coverage and back-up insurance, but there's no guarantee that they'll be here forever.