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Discussion: H.R. 1142, The Alopecia Areata Medicaid Improvement and Parity Act (49 comments ↓ | 3 wiki edits)
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Visitor Comments 
Danimal
February 25, 2009, 3:56pm (report abuse)"Alopecia Areata" is, of course, "baldness". "Hair prostheses" are wigs or hairpieces. This bill would make medicaid pay for wigs.
alma B
March 1, 2009, 9:51am (report abuse)How did this EVER get written into a bill. It would be laughable if it wasn't typical of what is coming out of Washington these days.
FJ Rankin
March 2, 2009, 12:25pm (report abuse)Just look at who authored it and where she is from. One of Pelosi's hand-maidens.
Mother
March 4, 2009, 10:31am (report abuse)Check out a page like www.childrensalopeciaproject.org before you make assumptions. Until you have a child who does not have a single hair on their head and has deal with it every day of her life, you should know what you are talking about. This is not just your regular \"baldness\" we\'re talking about. Shame on you for being so heartless.
FJ Rankin
March 4, 2009, 1:37pm (report abuse)Heartless? Bullfritters! If you want your child to have a wig go buy it. Don't expect the taxpayer to buy it for you. A good many people have been able to make it through life quite well without hair. Shame on you.
Mother
March 5, 2009, 12:12pm (report abuse)Yes, heartless is what I said. And for that matter, I did buy my child's prosthesis. I am a taxpaying citizen and a professional. I do not receive Medicaid. However, there are many people who can't afford a hair prosthesis because they are MUCH more expensive (and different) than wigs and are made to especially to fit a particular person so they may participate in normal, everyday activities without it falling off. If you had a teenage daughter dealing with this condition at school every day you may feel differently. My point is that some of you make this out to be some sort of joke, but alopecia areata is a real medical condition that many people have to deal with. I support this bill and I will do what I need to help others with the condition. I have no shame in this. Nothing you could say will make me feel other wise.
And furthermore, yes, some of you SHOULD be ashamed for making a joke out of something that is very important and serious to many people.
FJ Rankin
March 6, 2009, 2:41pm (report abuse)Get a life. When did it become the average citizen's responsibility to take care of everyone else? The problem today is that everyone thinks they are "entitled" to everything. Not true. If it is something important, which a wig is not, then get off the couch and go earn the money. Stop asking everyone else to pay for your problems.
If you are so concerned for these poor souls why don't you pay for all the wigs needed? You are the "professional" and can surely afford it.
I still say shame on you.
.
March 6, 2009, 3:20pm (report abuse)"The government cannot give to anyone anything that it does not first take from someone else."
Wig Man
March 9, 2009, 4:27pm (report abuse)People are failing to recognize the the positive effect a wig or toupe has on an individual who has lost their hair to alopecia areata or chemotherapy treatment. I see it every day and the fact is that a person's appearance can play a vital role in their overall health. People can resume a normal lifestyle. Most major health insurance companies realize the long term benefits. It's time medicaide recipents were able to obtain the same. For those opposed to this "charity" I hope you never have to be in this situation yourself.
FJ Rankin
March 10, 2009, 1:26am (report abuse)We don't fail to realize the benefit. We just don't see the need for the taxpayer to pay for it. If it is such a positive effect why don't you provide these for free to everyone. That way you can have a huge dose of "feel-good" about yourself.
Mother
March 10, 2009, 3:01pm (report abuse)Thats okay, I will keep the life I have. Unlike you, I would give up a few of my tax dollars to help children live a normal life. You must not have children. If you do...poor things! Alopecia is an auto-immune disease, and its people have the right to this "treatment" until a permanent one is found.
I still think you are a jerk.
Driver
March 12, 2009, 12:03pm (report abuse)The blog and some of the above information is very misleading. Although alopecia areata can be mere \"spot baldness,\" there are other forms of it. Alopecia areata totalis is total hair loss of the head. Alopecia universalis is complete hair loss on the entire body. I just wanted to share that information because if I was unaware of the full story and thought that this bill was just for medicaid to buy some old guy a toupee I would disagree too. It\'s a little different though when I think of a child having a med. condition keeping them from having any hair. Just my two cents...
Advocate
March 12, 2009, 2:53pm (report abuse)I agree with Driver. Alopecia Areata (as opposed to Alopecia which is merely 'baldness') is an autoimmune disease that affects children, women and men and can be psychologically devestating as well as physically challenging when eyelashes, eyebrows, etc. are involved. Please educate yourself at www.naaf.org before making such hurtful comments.
Another advocate
March 12, 2009, 3:32pm (report abuse)I agree too Driver and Advocate. The description above is very misleading. I'd be angry too if I thought my tax dollars were going to a grandpa because of his thinning hair. It's okay if you do not agree, but before you make such mean comments maybe you should get your facts straight first.
a grandparent
March 14, 2009, 4:30pm (report abuse)When I think of all the ridiculous things we pay for, why not pay for a child to have hair? We pay for congressmen/women to fly all over the country. We pay for medicine, doctor's visits etc for people who are too lazy to work, but can't do this for a child. What is wrong with you people?
.
March 14, 2009, 4:58pm (report abuse)Well grandparent, why don't you just start a fund and anyone who wants can donate. I won't but maybe some of your bleeding-heart friends will.
Mother of 4
March 14, 2009, 8:16pm (report abuse)This is to FJ Rankin....I can only pray that you never have a child that has to suffer with anything like this, or worse! I have a cousin that has this condition and it is something that she will have to deal with all her life! With the implants she would be able to live a more normal life, instead of having a wig that would be a nuisance! You need to not be so quick to judge others!
Mother of 4
March 14, 2009, 8:30pm (report abuse)Before you are rude and correct me, I would like to say that I incorrectly typed "implants" when I meant "prosthesis."
2 Teachers
March 16, 2009, 10:46am (report abuse)In reference to FJ Rankin: have you ever heard of welfare, heating and cooling assistance among the other programs that are funded by our tax dollars. I had much rather my tax money go toward someting that will help a child. We have a coworker/friend that has a child with this condition. As a teacher and yes as a tax payer it would be hard for her to buy her child a prosthesis, but she would find a way, even if the bill does not pass. If this bill passes it is no guarantee that this will help her. You FJ Rankin need "to get a life".
Driver
March 16, 2009, 1:14pm (report abuse)I agree and am so glad to see some positive people out there. This bill is important for many reasons. Many people w/this condition aren't on Medicaid, but maybe if the bill is passed other insurance companies will follow.
ugh
March 17, 2009, 12:12am (report abuse)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.
DISSY
March 17, 2009, 12:33am (report abuse)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.
Dielle
March 17, 2009, 12:49am (report abuse)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.
ugh
March 17, 2009, 12:49am (report abuse)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.
Dielle
March 17, 2009, 12:52am (report abuse)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!!!!
DISSY
March 17, 2009, 12:58am (report abuse)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.
Dielle
March 17, 2009, 1:21am (report abuse)You know what I find hilarious about all of you that keep saying how "ridiculous" this bill is? People always think that something is "ridiculous" or "unnecessary" so long as they don't need it, but the second they do they say "please government please! I NEED your help!" unemployment is a great example because I'm sure that many people (the people with jobs) opposed this idea when it was first proposed, but then as soon as they lost their job they were first in line for their check. I wouldn't wish this disorder on anyone, but you jerks out there sure as hell deserve it.
Dielle
March 17, 2009, 1:24am (report abuse)Oh and about that belief that people need to take care of themselves, children with this disorder can\'t control who their parents are and how much money they have to pay for these kinds of things. Do you all expect kids to \"take care of themselves\" and get themselves a prosthesis? FAT CHANCE!!! There is no way a kid could get one on their own because they have no means to support themselves financially. If you ask me that is one big whole in your argument for self-sufficiency.
in complete amazement
March 17, 2009, 8:47am (report abuse)wow. . .that's all i can say to those of you who say that this bill shouldn't be passed. that's unbelieveable! i am the first to be on my soap box about people who are too lazy to work, but as stated before, this isn't for wigs for some old guy who has male pattern baldness. we're talking about little kids! my best friend's daughter who is only 18 months old has not one single hair on her head and has now began to lose her eyebrows. While they would move a mountain to pay for her prosthesis, why shouldn't they have the opportunity to receive funding? they are taxpayers. I'd rather see my tax dollars going to them than some lazy human who doesn't strike at a snake. in my humble opinion, people like this franklin cat need prayer and a lot of it. but, to be frank, those are the very individuals who will probably be begging for God's forgiveness come tribulation.
in complete amazment
March 17, 2009, 8:47am (report abuse)oh, and no need to spend countless waking hours trying to come up with a witty response Franklin, I'll not be wasting any more of my time looking for your heartless comebacks. i'm voting, passing it on to people who actually care about someone other than themselves and living the rest of my life knowing I won't have to answer to the man upstairs for it!
Mother
March 17, 2009, 8:58am (report abuse)For your information, I did not say that people were heartless for not wanting to give their money out. If you will look again you will see that most of my anger comes from the jokes made about the whole situation and how lightly it was taken. As an American you have the right to agree or disagree with this bill. I may not like it, but it's your right. However, I don't take it so well when people make a joke out of a true medical condition and treat it as if it's nothing... especially one that I have personally witnessed cause my daughter loads of pain. I do not expect taxpayers to take care of my daughter, however, there are children out there who (as Dielle mentioned) can't control what their income is. I don't agree with several of the things my tax dollars go to, but it still happens. Until you have battled this condition first hand or had a child do so you will not be able to understand. I don't expect you to, but a few of you could ease up on the rudness.
Concerned Citizen
March 18, 2009, 1:32am (report abuse)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!
Concerned
March 18, 2009, 10:56am (report abuse)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.
Concerned
March 18, 2009, 11:01am (report abuse)And another thing you f*cking b8tch @$$ tightwads have a front row seat to HELL!!! In my book
Charita
March 18, 2009, 8:46pm (report abuse)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.
Judge Not
March 19, 2009, 12:37pm (report abuse)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.
Driver
March 23, 2009, 8:41am (report abuse)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).
!
March 26, 2009, 2:32am (report abuse)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!
FJ Rankin
March 26, 2009, 1:34pm (report abuse)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!"
KW-MN
March 27, 2009, 3:12pm (report abuse)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.
d.barnette
April 2, 2009, 5:43pm (report abuse)people-especially children in their formative years need the confidence and the security of hair prothesis
C.A.E.
April 6, 2009, 1:08am (report abuse)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.
"mama I dont like my bald spots"
May 6, 2009, 2:57pm (report abuse)I pray for the day we can give our children the oppertunity to experience what all of us take for granted. Hair.
parents of child with alopecia areata universalis
June 17, 2009, 2:00pm (report abuse)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!!!
zähne
September 12, 2009, 1:45am (report abuse)This is really a bad idea and it must not be approved.
zähne
johnda
September 13, 2009, 6:46pm (report abuse)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.
Zonie
September 16, 2009, 10:53am (report abuse)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!
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From the Blog
Will Medicaid Pay for Toupées?
If H.R. 1142 passes, it will. The bill would require States to provide “hair prostheses” under the Medicaid Program for people diagnosed with alopecia areata, sometimes called “spot baldness.” It affects 0.1%–0.2% of humans,...