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| International Disability Rights Affirmation Conference Friday, November 10, 2023 |
Lymphedema is swelling in the arms and/or legs due to
build-up of lymph fluid around cells. Lymph is part of the body’s defense
system against infection and toxins. Lymphedema occurs when lymph can’t drain
properly. This may be due to genetic causes, surgical removal of lymph nodes,
or radiation treatment for cancer. Lymphedema can’t be cured, but its symptoms
can be treated, for example, with pressure garments. For more information on
lymphedema, please see the poster exhibit here:
Judy Mittag lives with advanced stage 2 lymphedema in her legs. For many years, she has been an advocate for Medicare insurance coverage of necessary lymphedema compression treatment items. She went to Washington, DC, in person during legislative sessions to persuade her legislators to amend just a few phrases in the Medicare guidelines from the mid 90s to enable equal medical treatment according to specialized medical diagnosis and prescription, regardless of how the disease was acquired.
Due to the efforts of Judy and other advocates with lymphedema, the Lymphedema Treatment Act was passed by Congress on December 23, 2022, and will take effect January 1, 2024. In her conference presentation, Judy will describe the advocacy process and its results.
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| Logo: Lymphedema Treatment Act |
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| Poster: "We did it! The Lymphedema Treatment Act was Passed by Congress. December 23, 2022" |
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