People who suffer hair thinning or loss due to alopecia, cancer or other medical conditions are not always able to access wigs, which can take a real emotional and mental toll. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley wants to fix that with a new bill that will help people access wigs and other head coverings without an expensive price tag. The Wigs as Durable Medical Equipment Act was reintroduced on Friday, October 1—it was originally introduced by Representatives James McGovern and David Schweikert, which stalled in Congress until Pressley shared her personal experience with alopecia.
"Every person living with alopecia, battling cancer, or facing another medical condition that leads to hair loss should be able to access wigs and other head coverings. Our bill is responsive and sends a powerful message to these communities: We see you, you belong, and you deserve to be treated with dignity and respect," Pressley said in a statement released by McGovern's office.
Although some private insurance companies cover the cost of cranial prosthetics, wigs are not covered by Medicare, leaving many low-income families without any resources. If passed, the bill would recategorize medical wigs as durable medical equipment which would then make them eligible for coverage under the Social Security Act.
For the full bill, click here.