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Prosthetic Coverage Legislation: A Tool Kit for State Organizers

Sample Outreach Letter

Dear ________,

As you are probably aware, amputees are increasingly facing economic challenges on top of the physical challenges they face every day. During the last five years, there have been drastic changes in healthcare insurance. Many amputees face radically reduced coverage for prosthetics, making it difficult, if not impossible, to afford proper prosthetics and care. This is a trend in insurance coverage.

In a 2006 poll, the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) found that 24 percent of its members had their coverage reduced in the past few years, with 4 percent experiencing an elimination of their coverage completely. This is a trend we must change. But we need your help!

There are a group of prosthetists and patients working with the ACA to advance legislation that will mandate coverage for appropriate prosthetic devices and necessary maintenance and repair for their safe and successful use.

We need your help in this effort. Please, fill out and return the enclosed response card or call or e-mail us so that we can keep you updated on our progress and inform you about actions that will be needed along the way.

At the very least, we ask that each amputee, family member, healthcare professional, and friend pledge to contact their legislators about this effort. They need to hear loud and clear from their districts about the importance of requiring prosthetic coverage. We will provide you with the necessary contact information and sample letters.

Action is taking place right now to push this bill forward. Assistance with phone calls or mailings, attendance and participation in legislative action, and financial assistance through donations of any size are all great ways to assist the effort.

Please, join us and we will all benefit!

Sincerely,

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