State Senator Thomas J. Herlihy's, R-Simsbury, legislation that would require health insurers to cover up to $7,500 of the cost of prosthetic devices has passed the state Senate. According to Sen. Herlihy, the use of such devices is for extreme medical conditions and should warrant adequate medical coverage by health insurers. The legislation now goes to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

"I am very pleased that we were able to move this bill along," said Sen. Herlihy. "Having artificial limbs that allow an individual to resume the most normal and productive life possible is a basic right for all individuals. If we are going to provide coverage for breast reconstruction following a mastectomy or lumpectomy and wigs for individuals who have lost their hair through the process of chemotherapy then at the very least we should provide coverage so that people in need of an artificial limb can live the most normal and productive life possible."

Under his legislation an insurance carrier would be required to provide coverage of up to $7,500 for prosthetic devices in all health plans, current law requires only $300. Sen. Herlihy said that most private health insurance policies contain very limited coverage for prosthetic limbs. If passed, Connecticut would join Colorado, Maine and New Hampshire in increasing coverage for such devices. Sen. Herlihy said that the cost impact in these three states has proven to be minimal.

"Prosthetic devices are made for people who have a medical condition," said Sen. Herlihy. "Usually this condition is quite severe and a prosthetic device is designed to make those in need of a limb to live as normal a life as possible. In my opinion a prosthetic arm or leg is part of the recovery process of someone who has been through severe trauma. By not allowing insurance coverage for the costs associated with such devices we are not allowing for the complete recovery of these patients."