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.  

“I am looking forward to working with the families who make up the Children’s Craniofacial Association,” Ross said.  “These are the families who are forced to fight their insurance companies so their children can get the life-saving surgeries they need.  The fact that these surgeries have been lumped in the same ‘cosmetic’ category as superficial surgeries that simply make people look better or younger is a tragedy.  I hope that this forum will allow these families to be heard, so we can ensure their needs are met.”  

Ross was inspired to draft the bill by a constituent, Wendelyn Osborne.  The Arkadelphia resident was the 16th person ever documented with the rare bone disease, Craniometaphyseal Dysplasia, which causes an overgrowth of her craniofacial bone that never deteriorates.  “Wendelyn’s condition 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.  Wendelyn’s condition is rare, but her experience in seeking care is not,” Ross said.  

The Children’s Craniofacial Association will hold a forum on treatment and insurance coverage in support of the Reconstructive Surgery Act on Wednesday, June 25.  In addition to Ross, Osborne and families from around the country are coming to the forum to provide 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, will provide scientific evidence about the difference between cosmetic and medically necessary reconstructive surgeries. 

“We’re actually getting to speak before a roomful of Members of Congress, this is an incredible opportunity for them to actually see people with craniofacial conditions,” said Osborne.  “That’s such an impact, to see hundreds of people who are in need of reconstructive surgery, and to hear the stories of the challenges they face.  The most important thing to me is that Congressman Ross introduced this as a bipartisan bill.  We don’t come into this world as Republican or Democrat – this problem affects us indiscriminately.” 

The forum will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 in the LBJ Room of the Capitol (Room S-211).   

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