ALS Is Hard Enough. Arizona’s Insurance Rules Make It Harder.
Living with ALS is already overwhelming. Navigating a life-limiting diagnosis means managing complex care, mounting costs, and constant uncertainty—often all at once. For families facing ALS, access to affordable, comprehensive health coverage isn’t a luxury. It’s essential.
That’s why we are grateful to ALS Arizona volunteer Amanda Kehrberg for raising her voice—and the voices of so many families—through her newly published opinion article, “ALS Is Hard Enough. Arizona’s Insurance Rules Make It Harder.” Her piece is currently featured on the main page of The Independent and will also appear in print.
In the article, Amanda highlights how Arizona’s current Medigap insurance rules create unnecessary barriers for people living with ALS—barriers that can delay care, limit treatment options, and add stress to an already heavy burden. For individuals facing a progressive neurological disease, time matters. Coverage matters. And policy decisions matter.
This issue is not theoretical. It directly affects people in our ALS community—right now.
Why This Matters Now
Getting ALS “too young” shouldn’t mean losing access to affordable healthcare. That’s why Rep. Selina Bliss and Sen. T.J. Shope have introduced HB 2433 and SB 1191, legislation that would guarantee access to Medigap for people diagnosed with ALS before 65.
There is an opportunity to move this conversation forward at the state level. A hearing on the Medigap issue has been requested for the Senate Finance Committee agenda on February 16. For that to happen, legislators need to hear from constituents who care about fair access to healthcare for people living with ALS.
If you or someone you know lives in Senator Mesnard’s district (Chandler), your voice is especially important. A phone call or email asking him to place this hearing on the agenda can make a real difference.
How You Can Help
• Read and share Amanda’s article
• Talk with friends and family about how insurance policy impacts ALS care
• If you’re in Senator Mesnard’s district, contact his office and ask that the Medigap hearing be added to the Senate Finance Committee agenda on February 16
Read the article here:
ALS Is Hard Enough. Arizona’s Insurance Rules Make It Harder
Phoenix Independent & Daily Independent
https://www.yourvalley.net/phoenix-independent/stories/als-is-hard-enough-arizonas-insurance-rules-make-it-harder,660181