ACA Calls on Activists to Take Action at Home

DID YOU KNOW? The Maryland, Virginia, Iowa and Arkansas state legislatures recently passed parity legislation. This is incredibly exciting, but we still need a federal bill to provide protections for health plans regulated at the federal level.

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO GET THE FEDERAL PARITY BILL RE-INTRODUCED AND KEEP IT MOVING!

House and Senate members went home to their districts in April. They head home again May 25-29, June 29-July 3 and August 3-September 4.

Take action! Stop by your members' district offices or make a call when they are home to help keep up the momentum behind this important legislation!

Background: As most of you know, we had nearly 200 people gather in Washington, D.C., on March 10, for our second annual lobby day. This event allowed individuals the opportunity to meet with their legislators, share their personal stories and urge them to support the Prosthetic & Customized Orthotic Act.

Status: We are working with our lead sponsors — Senators Snowe and Harkin and Representatives Miller and Andrews — to get the bill re-introduced.

What's next? To keep the momentum going, we urge you to contact your senators' and representatives' local offices during the congressional recess this month.

What can I do?

• Set up an in-district meeting (a chance to actually go in and talk with them or their staff). We have included the district office information below.
• Drop off information at the office (an opportunity to introduce yourself, show public support and push for their support). We have a great one-pager on the parity bill at www.amputee-coalition.org/armsandlegsarenotaluxury/lobby_parity_flyer.pdf.
• Make calls to the district offices while they are home, expressing your support for the federal parity legislation.
  
  SAMPLE PHONE MESSAGE:
  “Hello, my name is __________ and I am from _________[CITY]. I am calling to urge Senator/Representative ___________ to support the Prosthetic & Customized Orthotic Act of 2009. This bill will help to ensure that amputees can get the care they need to live productive and independent lives. Thank you for your time.”

Please, let us know if you have any questions or if we can be of assistance (202/742-1886 or federal@amputee-coalition.org).

PLEASE, TAKE ACTION TODAY TO KEEP UP THE MOMENTUM BEHIND THE FEDERAL PARITY BILL!

» Click here to determine who your representative is and to obtain contact information.
» Click here for senate contact information.

NOTE: If you are able to set up a meeting and/or make a phone call to urge support of the bill, please let us know that you have done so. We carefully track our correspondence with legislative offices and would like to record all e-mails, phone calls and meetings that take place.