The Role of Public Policy in the Adoption of Prosthetic Limbs in the United States

In the United States, approximately 2 million people live with limb loss [1] and that number is expected to double by 2050 [2]. Although this is a significant figure, it still does not represent a substantial market size for the private sector to develop prosthetics for this population. Mobility is highly crucial for long-term health [3], [4], [5], [6], and prosthetic limbs are vital in restoring mobility. Undoubtedly, people with limb loss are among the most vulnerable segments of society. Therefore, we contend that their safety and care should be a high priority for the government. In this article, we recap the public policy landscape surrounding prosthetic limbs in the United States before proposing ways to increase access and adoption of prosthetic limbs.