WashingtonWatch.com - H.R. 1142, The Alopecia Areata Medicaid Improvement and Parity Act

Comment by Zonie (September 16, 2009, 01:00:00)

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

You are exactly right Johnda. Zahne, unlike you, many people feel it is a good idea. And, although a lot of our opinions are fueled by emotion (for our kids especially), the facts are there as well. It cannot be argued -- this IS A MEDICAL CONDITION. For the time being, this is the best treatment out there. Why would anyone want to deny a child that chance? I think it is a wonderful idea to support people who suffer with this condition. I FOR ONE, SUPPORT THIS!...

Comment by johnda (September 13, 2009, 01:00:00)

Sun, 13 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I have male pattern baldness and this is not about me, male pattern baldness is a normal occurance, and I would not expect help on this. However, there is a serious condition known alopecia totalis. This can be the result of a disease, chemotherapy, or a hormone imbalance. I know of a person who is suffering from this and she has no hair. She needs to wear a wig every day. She doesn't do it for style, she just wears the wig so she can leave her home and go out in public. By the way, folks, medicare covers the cost of viagra,so what's the deal? I don't see why medicare shouldn't cover wigs, as long as a doctor makes a prescription detailing the medical need for a wig....

Comment by zÃ¤hne (September 12, 2009, 01:00:00)

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

This is really a bad idea and it must not be approved. zähne ...

Comment by parents of child with alopecia areata universalis (June 17, 2009, 01:00:00)

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

FJ Rankin: "Forgive him for he knows not what he says". You are a cold heartless man. Can't wait for you to get male pattern baldness, then you will realize how difficult it is for children with alopecia areata universalis. You don't have the faintess idea what alopecia areata universalis is. You are just thinking of male pattern baldness (alopecia). Go to NAAF (National Alopecia Areata Foundation)and check it out!!!...

Comment by "mama I dont like my bald spots" (May 6, 2009, 01:00:00)

Wed, 06 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I pray for the day we can give our children the oppertunity to experience what all of us take for granted. Hair....

Revision by CarolB (April 9, 2009, 01:00:00)

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EDT

H.R. 1142 would amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to require States to provide hair prostheses under the Medicaid Program for individuals diagnosed with alopecia areata.

Detailed Summary

Alopecia Areata Medicaid Improvement and Parity Act - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act with respect to inpatient hospital services to require states to provide hair prostheses under the Medicaid program for: (1) individuals diagnosed with alopecia areata universalis or alopecia areata totalis; or (2) individuals whose attending physician certifies in writing the medical necessity of that proposed course of rehabilitative treatment.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 2/24/2009: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Comment by C.A.E. (April 6, 2009, 01:00:00)

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I sincerely hope that our elected officials will not take this issue lightly. I for one would rather my tax dollars go to this cause than NUMEROUS others that money is wasted on each year. To others, you don't have to be in agreement. As someone else said, it's your right as an American. If you want to be distaseful about it, you can do that too I suppose. I just have one request...please treat others the way you'd want yourself, spouse, son/daughter to be treated....

Comment by d.barnette (April 2, 2009, 01:00:00)

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EDT

people-especially children in their formative years need the confidence and the security of hair prothesis...

Revision by webmaster (March 30, 2009, 01:00:00)

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT

H.R. 1142 would amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to require States to provide hair prostheses under the Medicaid Program for individuals diagnosed with alopecia areata.

Detailed Summary

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Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 2/24/2009: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Points in Favor

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)

Points Against

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Comment by KW-MN (March 27, 2009, 01:00:00)

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I am the mother of a 2 year old little girl who has not had a stitch of hair, eyebrows or eyelashes since she was 9 months old. I wish that those who wrote the hurtful comments above could be sitting in the room when I am brushing my oldest daughters hair and my beautiful little 2 year old girl tilts her head, rubs her bare little scalp and says "Alopecia Mama, Alopecia". It makes me want to cry every time. I understand the frustration of not wanting to pay out anymore in taxes, believe me, my family is feeling the crunch like every one else. Someday, if my daughter chooses to wear a wig... we do ok, and if we have to go without something for a little bit to do it, then so be it. We will take care of it ourselves. But not everyone has this option. I think the bill is a wonderful thing for those who cannot financially provide a wig for their child. Those who are against this bill, don't understand the extent of emotional scarring that this autoimmune disease can carry....

Comment by ! (March 26, 2009, 01:00:00)

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT

FJ & everyone else who has issue\'s w/ this bill...I am just guessing here, but you would rather your tax dollars go to welfare & mindless government BS instead of helping out a child/children with a condition that lowers self esteem, makes them feel different from their peers or excluded? That\'s ignorant. Now to address the comments about \"why don\'t you just go buy one\"..well when medical bills are piling up from Dr. appts, Derm. appts., as well as ongoing medication for low iron and or B12 injections, not to mention regular living expenses, makes it extremely difficult to purchase a $300 + wig. There is little resources for Alopecia patients to aquire such items as wigs. So this bill passing would help to create a better level of self esteme for our children. It may not mean jack to you, but it would mean the world to a little girl or boy who is suffering from hair loss. Nuff Said!...

Comment by FJ Rankin (March 26, 2009, 01:00:00)

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Not "nuff said" by a stretch. I don't care if you want to pay for these things. That's fine and dandy. I don't and as long as I have the right ro express my views I will. I do not think this or any bill like it is a good way to spend my money. Now "nuff said!"...

Comment by Driver (March 23, 2009, 01:00:00)

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I agree with the above poster. You really can't imagine the importance until you're confronted with this condition. Five years ago I had never heard of this and wouldn't have even paid attention to this section of the site, but now that my daughter is dealing with it is a different story. The government shouldn't be responsible for everything, but this needs to be treated as a medical condition, not just someone wanting a cosmetic improvement (which is what the blog implies)....

Comment by Judge Not (March 19, 2009, 01:00:00)

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT

To each person that voted no against this bill. I would like to ask you to close your eyes and imagine a child that looks like they have just taken chemotherapy. Imagine the sympathy looks that child receives from strangers on a daily basis or that first day at school when they realize that they are different. Imagine how it would feel to be completely bald at 16 (boy or girl) and wanting to date like normal kids. Take the time to imagine just for once how you would feel if you woke up one morning completely bald. What it would do to your confidence? Take the time to really really try to imagine how you would feel. Now open your eyes, what if it was YOUR CHILD, YOUR GRANDCHILD, how would you feel then? Would you change your mind then? These children DESERVE the right to become self confident, happy, normal adults without having to struggle with explanations to constant questions or glances for the rest of their lives. Really THINK before You JUDGE....

Comment by Concerned Citizen (March 18, 2009, 01:00:00)

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT

FJ Rankin, Can i just say your a complete a**hole and should be very ashamed of yourself. I know your sittin there right now feelin all power like you really proved a point, but in reality you just made yourself look like a heartless ass. Congrads I hope your extremely proud!! Mostly I hope your are never blessed with the gift of children because you most definately don't deserve them and if you do get lucky and find some poor stupid women to marry and have your kids....Well i feel extremely sorry for them and will pray for them everyday!...

Comment by Concerned (March 18, 2009, 01:00:00)

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I think that if people vote against this then they just do not think of the what if factor... as in what if this was happening to someone i love or even my self Before you decide to vote against this think of this concept....

Comment by Concerned (March 18, 2009, 01:00:00)

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT

And another thing you f*cking b8tch @$$ tightwads have a front row seat to HELL!!! In my book...

Comment by Charita (March 18, 2009, 01:00:00)

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT

People are seriously voting agianst this?! There are children getting teased and getting affected socially and emotionally by this disease and people think that it's okay. Wow, what is wrong with this society. I am truely of you for voting against this....

Comment by Charita (March 18, 2009, 01:00:00)

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I am truely ashamed of you for voting this way....

Comment by ugh (March 17, 2009, 01:00:00)

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT

To mother: I'm tired of hearing people claim that those who don't believe that it's the government's responsibility to pay for every little thing in this world are heartless and shameless people. The point is, yes, it's a shame when a person of any age has a medical condition that prevents them from having hair, be it in a single spot or all over. But that doesn't entitle the government to take from anyone's pocket, regardless of the cost, for a condition that is entirely a private manner. It's no wonder the government has become so involved with private citizens lives when this is the mentality of people today....

Comment by DISSY (March 17, 2009, 01:00:00)

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT

FJ RANKIN, ALMA B, and anyone else who doesn't agree!! Until this personally effects you or someone you know...I don't expect you to fully understand how important this is, but do not come on here acting like this is a stupid bill to pass. If you had a beautiful little girl or boy that suddenly is sick and needs help you cannot tell me that you would not do anything in your power to help them out & when I say anything I even mean getting on this website to state my opinion on how I disagree with you and have no respect for you what so ever!!!!!!!!!! So what, if you do not fully agree with this, you do not have to come on here and piss everyone off that does. Vote how you want and keep your ignorant opinions to yourself. GOD BLESS YOU....

Comment by Dielle (March 17, 2009, 01:00:00)

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT

As a girl that got this at the age of 13 I can honestly say that anyone opposed to this bill really is heartless and should be ashamed. Do you want to know what I went through because I couldn't get a wig when I first lost all of my hair? I was ridiculed and teased by my fellow students to the point that I fell into a deep depression and had suicidal thoughts. We pay for people that prefer to sit on their buts all day instead of getting a job, we pay for insurance for people that can't afford it and we pay for people's retirement. Why would it be such a burden to pay for prosthesis for people that have alopecia? It doesn't affect a large portion of the population and probably wouldn't lead to a tax increase, it would just be fit into the budget. Im not saying that it is the governments responsibility to pay for every little thing, these things last for 3-5 years, and its not like we are asking you to pay for our keep for life....

Comment by ugh (March 17, 2009, 01:00:00)

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Dissy, an ignorant opinion? For your information, I have faced many medical crises in my life time, and I dealt with them myself. And no, I'm not some excessively paid corporate bigwig, I'm just an average working American that tries to supply for himself and his family. It's not ignorant for me to believe people have a responsibility to take care of themselves....

Comment by Dielle (March 17, 2009, 01:00:00)

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT

For those of you that are saying we are asking for handouts, every time you accept a ui check or welfare check because you need money when you don't have a job, well you are asking for a handout. And you handout is a lot larger and lasts a lot longer than paying for these would. Any government officials? You are taking money out of peoples pockets for your salaries (rather large salaries too). You could say that unemployment is a "private matter" as well yet anyone that loses their job will gladly except the checks. one word HYPOCRITES!!!!...

Comment by DISSY (March 17, 2009, 01:00:00)

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Yea, well i'm so proud of you for dealing with your own problems. Maybe some can't? Yes, people do have responsibilties to take care themselves, and I also feel it is my responsibilty to take care of my neice and anyone else who has to deal with this problem. Read Dielle's comment.. Like I said before if you do not agree with it thats fine.... why do you have to come on here and disagree? It's pitiful....