We need your help!  The opposition to House Bill 318 is trying to get the bill assigned to a conference committee.  This is a whole other time consuming hurdle for the bill to go through. 

The bill passed overwhelmingly out of the House (69 to 32) and with two administrative amendments in the Senate (26 to 7).  The Governor has already told the press he is anxious to sign the bill!

Now the House must concur with the Senate's amendments and then the next step is the Governors desk!  But we need your help to make sure it doesn't go to a conference committee!

TAKE ACTION! We are so close to making Louisiana the 11^th state to enact a parity law.  Contact your state representative TODAY!  They need to hear from supporters like you! 

Click here to find your representative:   http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/H_Reps_ByAddress.asp

We have included contact information along with a sample phone message and sample e-mail/letter below.

Take just a few minutes and make a call and/or send an e-mail to your Representative!

SAMPLE PHONE MESSAGE: Hello. My name is ____. I reside in ____. I am calling regarding House Bill 318, a bill creating a consistent standard of care for prosthetic coverage.  This is an important bill for amputees in Louisiana. I urge Representative____ to support this bill.  There has been discussion of getting a conference committee for this bill, but this is an unnecessary hurdle for this bill when there was overwhelming support in the house and senate, and the governor has already committed to signing it.  Please support this bill, don't vote for a conference committee to be convened and please support it when it comes up for a floor vote again.

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Representative____,

I am writing in regards to regarding House Bill 318. This legislation was passed by the House and the Senate.  Additionally, Governor Jindal has already committed to signing this legislation into law.  It simply needs to go through a concurrence vote.

An administrative amendment was added in the Senate.  The opposition is trying to get the bill assigned to a conference committee. After an overwhelming majority in both chambers and a  commitment from the governor, this bill should not be forced to go through another time consuming hurdle.

HB 318 is smart policy for the state of Louisiana. It creates a consistent standard of coverage for prosthetic care under private insurance.  This would enable individuals to remain employed, productive members of society. It also avoids the complications that result when someone is forced into a wheelchair or onto crutches for an extended period of time. 

This legislation has broad support.    Please, push for a concurrence vote on HB 318. 

Sincerely,

NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE

For more information, contact us at state@amputee-coalition.org.