On March 11, 2026, Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz visited the University of Hartford to advocate for House Bill 5374, a key piece of legislation aimed at expanding insurance coverage for prosthetic and orthotic devices in Connecticut.
Key Objectives of House Bill 5374
- Modernizing Coverage: The bill seeks to ensure that both children and adults have access to medically necessary care, specifically including activity-specific devices (such as those used for running, cycling, or swimming) when clinically appropriate.
- Removing Barriers: Currently, many insurers limit patients to a single “basic” daily device, labeling activity-specific technology as “not medically necessary.” The bill aims to close this gap, allowing individuals to lead active, independent lives.
- Healthcare Equity: A central tenet of the advocacy is that insurers should not deny benefits for physical activity to individuals with limb loss that would be routinely covered for those without disabilities.
Event Highlights
- The “So Every BODY Can Move” Initiative: The event was held in partnership with this national grassroots movement, which aims to pass similar legislation in 28 states by the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics.
- Clinical Demonstration: Following the press conference, the Lieutenant Governor joined faculty and students from the University of Hartford’s Prosthetics and Orthotics Department. As one of only 14 graduate programs of its kind in the U.S., the department provided a technical look at the unique design and function of these life-changing devices.
- Impact on Veterans: The visit also highlighted that these insurance limitations affect veterans who receive coverage through private employers rather than the VA system, often forcing them into sedentary lifestyles due to a lack of proper equipment.
The event underscored the vital role of clinical education and legislative reform in ensuring that the limb loss and limb difference community can access the tools necessary for both physical and mental well-being.