Rep. Eshoo Introduces Bill to Improve Medicaid Coverage for Alopecia Areata

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-Palo Alto) introduced the Alopecia Areata Medicaid Improvement and Parity Act, which will improve Medicaid coverage for those affected by Alopecia Areata.

Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune disorder that results in the loss of body hair. Most Americans suffer from mild forms of the condition, but approximately 30,000 have Alopecia Areata Universalis or Totalis-complete loss of all body hair. There is no known cure for the disease and very few treatments are successful.

"This legislation will improve the quality of life for the thousands of people who suffer from Alopecia. We can't allow Americans who are suffering from the disease to continue enduring harassment and mistreatment because of the inadequate coverage by Medicaid," said Eshoo.

H.R. 1142 will improve Medicaid coverage for those suffering with the disease by reimbursing for one hair prosthesis a year. Based on these criteria, it is estimated that 5,000 of the nearly 50 million Medicaid beneficiaries will qualify for this assistance.

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