ACA Conference Kicks off a Summer of Parity Events

By: Morgan Sheets

Many state legislatures are wrapping up for the year, but several state bills are still on the move.   Activists have been fighting hard to push Pennsylvania’s House Bill 317.  We are shooting for a floor vote in the House before they adjourn for the summer recess.  

The Oregon campaign committee worked hard to negotiate with representatives of the insurance industry in order to keep House Bill 2517 alive.  The bill passed the House in late April with a unanimous vote.  They continue to push to get it through the Senate committee, onto the floor and to the governor’s desk before the session adjourns in early July.

Several other states continue to advance legislation.  And two state legislatures are looking to the second half of their session to introduce prosthetic parity bills.  Rep. Lisa Wojno has committed to advancing parity in the Michigan legislature.  And the IL Society is working with the ACA to introduce a parity bill in the fall.

The ACA’s National Advocacy Team is also making plans for a diverse range of exciting activities at the ACA’s upcoming Annual Conference in Atlanta, GA June 15-17th. 

The day before the conference, we are providing intensive training for activists who would like to hone their skills in working with the media.  We are holding an organizing meeting for local activists to start to lay the groundwork for a Georgia parity bill in 2008. 

We will be conducting a workshop on Saturday afternoon to update people on the progress of the campaign, share new resources and strategies and help people become more effective activists when they return to their home states.

We are also offering individual consultations throughout the conference to any activist who would like to schedule time to speak with a member of the Advocacy team about building or enhancing a campaign in their state.

And this year’s awards ceremony will include commendation for the “Advocate of the Year” in special recognition of an individual who has gone above and beyond in helping to advance parity legislation.   We have the privilege of working with many passionate and talented activists throughout the country.  This award will really recognize the work of each and every person who has helped to champion access to prosthetic care. 

We are very pleased with the progress that has been made this year.  We welcome the opportunity to not only build our efforts at the national conference, but also through our summer outreach activities and a series of organizing meetings in new states including Maryland and Washington. 

Morgan Sheets is the National Advocacy Director (202/742-1885 or appll@amputee-coalion.org). Visit the ACA’s Action Center (http://www.amputee-coalition.org/advocacy/index.html).