ROCHELLE PARK, N.J. (PIX11) - Fifteen years after traumatic injuries and an infection took his leg, James Spiegel is thriving. He's an avid golfer and vice president of Allcare Orthotic & Prosthetic Services.
"I don't care if you're 6, or you're 85. It's very hard to lose a limb," said Spiegel. "When I come in and talk to patients I make sure that they see me as a happy, healthy living my life to the fullest human being."
Inside Allcare's headquarters, lives are changed forever. Patients get fitted for new prosthetics, including many that allow them to play sports like baseball, golf, rock climbing, and more.
"I've been doing this for close to 10 years," said Spiegel, "and we've helped thousands of amputees get their life back."
But without insurance, some blades or other specialized limbs could easily cost five figures, leaving patients, and sometimes their families, with difficult choices to make. A bipartisan bill in Trenton hopes to change that.
The bill, sponsored by Democratic State Senator Troy Singleton and Republican Senate Minority Leader Anthony Bucco, would require health benefits coverage for prosthetic limbs for sports if the patient's doctor deems it necessary.
"I don't think anyone wants to sit down with a 6-year-old that just beat cancer and tell them that 'you can't have this because of,' whatever reason they're going to say," said Spiegel.
"Being able to guide somebody through something I have experienced myself is very rewarding," said Jose Henriquez, a patient advocate at Allcare who is also an amputee.
He hopes this bill can one day get passed so that kids and adults can see what they're capable of.
"We have good days, we have bad days, but I think that's just the circle of life, you know? We all experience that. So it's just a matter of adapting really, and just keep pushing forward," Henriquez said.
“Sports provide a litany of physical, mental, and social benefits that are incredibly impactful on the lives of both children and adults," said Singleton in a statement. "Unfortunately, individuals with prosthetics are often forced to lead more sedentary lives, with risks of injury when using improper devices because of the high cost of a second prosthetic uncovered by insurance. This legislation would require coverage for an additional orthotic or prosthetic when a physician deems it necessary to engage in physical and recreational activities. In so doing, it would expand the horizons for residents with physical disabilities throughout the state, and most especially for children who simply want to play.”
“As a cancer survivor myself, I’ve seen the struggles patients must endure when dealing with health insurance companies,” said Bucco in a statement. “Our goal with this legislation is to make this process as seamless as possible and give amputees the peace of mind they deserve when going through these tough times.”
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