Bill Positions

Bill Number: HB 69

Bill Title: Prosthetic Parity Act

Bill Sponsor(s): Delegate Mizeur

Subject: Health

Committee: HGO

Bill Summary: This bill would (1) broaden the definition of a "prosthetic device" that is covered as a required health insurance benefit; (2) require that the coverage for the device be as specified by the health care provider; and (3) tie reimbursement payments for such devices to that provided under federal law and regulation.

Chamber Position: Oppose

Position Summary: Allowing health care providers to specify the prosthetic device that must be covered by health insurance carriers would increase health care costs. Additionally, tieing reimbursement rates to a federal standard would further inflate health care costs and place such costs beyond the ability of Maryland to control. The bill is inadvisable at a time when health care cost increases must be contained.

Position Statement: Click here to download a pdf version of the Maryland Chamber's position statement.

Chamber Staff: Ron Wineholt

General Assembly: Click here to view the bill on the Maryland General Assembly's website.