“This country has laws to protect citizens from bring discriminated against in the workplace,” said Osborne, speaking before a group assembled in the Capitol.  “However, there are no laws preventing discrimination in the health care industry.  Insurance companies are discriminating against those of us suffering from a congenital condition.” 

Children born with severe facial and head deformities are often denied insurance coverage because their health insurers classify needed operations as “cosmetic.”  Ten states have already taken steps to prevent this type of denial by insurance companies; Ross’s initiative would assure nationwide coverage for these medically necessary reconstructive surgeries. 

Ross was inspired to draft the bill after learning of Osborne’s continued struggle with her insurance company.  Osborne was the 16th person ever documented with the rare bone disease, Craniometaphyseal Dysplasia.  The condition causes an overgrowth of her craniofacial bone that never deteriorates, and requires periodic surgeries to correct the growth and abnormalities caused by the disease.  Unfortunately, Wendelyn has had to fight for any type of disease-related procedure as well as getting access to qualified physicians. 

“I introduced H.R. 1499 after trying time and time again to communicate with Wendelyn’s health insurance company,” Ross said at the forum.  “Insurance officials would not budge; they would not negotiate; they would not even consider all of the evidence from Wendelyn’s doctors and outside professionals that stated her reconstructive surgeries were medically necessary.  My legislation aims to stop the round-and-round, back-and-forth, and hoop jumping that she and others with craniofacial conditions have had to endure with their health insurance plans.  H.R. 1499 requires insurance companies to automatically cover medically necessary reconstructive surgery – surgery that has been clearly identified by medical professionals as a detriment to one’s health if it is not corrected.” 

Wednesday, more than sixty families with The Children’s Craniofacial Association attended the forum on treatment and insurance coverage in support of the Reconstructive Surgery Act.  In addition to Ross, Osborne and families from around the country provided their personal experiences about lack of insurance coverage.  Leading experts, including Dr. Lawrence Tabak, Director of the National Institute of Health’s Dental and Craniofacial Research Institute, offered scientific evidence about the difference between cosmetic and medically necessary reconstructive surgeries. 

Additional information on the Children’s Craniofacial Association and craniofacial conditions is available at www.ccakids.org.