PA: Prosthetic parity bill to be introduced!

Let the games begin! On Tuesday, May 30th, Rep. Bernard O’Neill will introduce a bill to ensure prosthetic coverage in the state of Pennsylvania.

We need your help to support this exciting step forward!

1) Contact your representative on May 20th to urge them to support this important legislation.

Find your legislator:
Click on this link and put your zip code in the upper right hand corner. http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/representatives_alpha.cfm

2) Attend an organizing meeting to find out how you can get involved in the fight for prosthetic parity in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Prosthetic Parity Organizing Meetings
Pittsburgh
Date: Wednesday, May 31st
Time: 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Location: Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Brookline Branch (708-710 Brookline Boulevard)

Central PA/Middletown
Date: Thursday, June 1st
Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Location: St Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church (Spring & Union St.)

Philadelphia
Date: Monday, June 5th
Time: 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Location: Free Library of Philadelphia, South Philadelphia Branch (1700 South Broad Street, Broad & Morris Sts.)

Northeast/Nanticoke
Date: Tuesday, June 6th
Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Location: Luzerne County Community College (1333 S. Prospect St.), Room 131, Building 10

Registration is free. For more information, to get directions or to register, contact Morgan Sheets at APPLL@amputee-coalition.org or 202-302-4373.

The Amputee Coalition of America is working with people all over the country to advance prosthetic parity legislation. This meeting is aimed at bringing together people who want to learn about how to fight for prosthetic parity in the state of Pennsylvania. The American Disability Coalition (ADC) is co-sponsoring the Pennsylvania meetings.

Read more!

ACA Conference: Achilles’ Hope & Possibility 5K Run/Walk Comes to Minneapolis

Achilles’ Hope & Possibility 5K Run/Walk Comes to Minneapolis

On Saturday, June 17, Trisha Meili, author of I Am The Central Park Jogger: A Story of Hope and Possibility will join Melissa Stockwell, the first female amputee back from Iraq, and participants from across the nation in the inaugural Hope and Possibility in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The 5K run/walk, to be held in Hyland Park in Bloomington, is open to the public and is being hosted by the Achilles Track Club in partnership with the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) and sponsored by Otto Bock Healthcare, Minneapolis.

While running through Central Park 16 years ago, Trisha was accosted, beaten, raped, and left for dead. During her rehabilitation, she learned of the Achilles Track Club that encourages distance running for people with all types of disabilities. She eventually ran again and completed two New York City Marathons, the first with Achilles President and Founder Dick Traum. Now, she's Achilles' chairman of the board.

Melissa Stockwell could not believe she lost her leg, yet didn't hesitate to sign up with the Achilles Freedom Team, a "running" group of wounded veterans back from Iraq and Afghanistan. The program to provide goals, training, equipment, and opportunity for accomplishment was initiated more than two years ago at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington DC. With doubting minds on the ability to do a marathon, the first goal was the Hope & Possibility 5 Mile. Melissa was looking forward to her goal of participating in the Hope and Possibility 5 Mile race, yet infection stepped in, requiring additional surgeries to save her life. Thirty-four traveled to New York City to participate in Achilles' 5 Mile event. Sixteen returned four months later for the marathon. This time, Melissa joined them. After building back her strength, she pushed through the entire 26.2-mile distance on a handcrank wheelchair with husband Dick at her side.

For the first time, Achilles is expanding its signature H&P event outside New York. This will be the first time that Trisha and Melissa will run together. Everyone is invited to come out and join them, said Meredith Goins, ACA marketing/outreach coordinator.

Runners, walkers, and athletes of all ages, with all types of abilities and disabilities, will participate together side by side. Wheelchair participants also are welcome. The mayor of Bloomington, along with the Fire and Police Department, will be on hand to help and participate in the event.

ACA President and CEO Paddy Rossbach, RN, was one of the first members of the Achilles Track Club. Paddy's entire career in the world of limb loss started when she met Dick Traum and began training for her first marathon with Achilles in 1984. She held the Female Below-the-Knee Amputee Marathon record for many years. Paddy is also the co-founder of ASPIRE Inc., a nonprofit organization in the New York City area which focuses on sports and recreational activities for children and young adults with limb loss.

Otto Bock HealthCare is the Champion Sponsor of the Hope and Possibility event.
Support also comes from the Mobility Clinic presented by Ossur North America, Aliso Viejo, California, on Friday, June 16, during the ACA conference at the Sheraton Bloomington. Amputees will be evaluated and coached on their running with emphasis on further distances.

One of them, Mike McNaughton, an Achilles Freedom Team member also back from Iraq, is known for running with President George Bush. The hope of Achilles is that participants enjoy the event so much they will consider signing up for the Achilles Team in this year's ING New York City Marathon on November 5. AVIS continues its "We Try Harder" spirit with sponsorship of Achilles athletes in races and transportation to the starting line.

Pre-registration is available online at www.achillestrackclub.org/hopeandpossibility/index_MN.html. Race Day registration and number pick-up opens at 6 am at the Visitor's Center in Hyland Park in Bloomington. Awards will be presented after the race at the Visitor's Center. New York will experience its 4th Annual Hope & Possibility 5M presented by Cushman & Wakefield on Sunday, August 6, in Central Park.

About Achilles
Achilles, a not-for-profit organization designated 501(c) 3, provides opportunity for disabled members to participate in mainstream distance running, to promote personal achievement, enhanced self-esteem, and the lowering of barriers between people.

For additional information, or to make a donation, visit www.achillestrackclub.org

To contact program director, Mary Bryant, call 212.354.0300 or e-mail mbryant@achillestrackclub.org

Read more!

NEWSLETTER: New Edition of APPLL Core: Access to Care

Check out the latest edition of our APPLL Core: Access to Care newsletter.

Read more!

PA: Parity Organizing Meetings

The Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) invites you to a series of community information and organizing meetings to discuss prosthetic parity in Pennsylvania!

Pennsylvanians living with limb loss or limb differences face discouraging obstacles when trying to obtain prosthetic care. Current changes in insurance coverage for prostheses threaten their ability to lead independent, productive lives. This is your opportunity to do something about it.

Join the ACA and the American Disability Coalition (ADC) in a meeting to discuss pushing for prosthetic coverage in the Pennsylvania state legislature!

Pennsylvania Prosthetic Parity Organizing Meetings

· Pittsburgh
o When: Wednesday, May 31, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
o Where: Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Brookline Branch (708-710 Brookline Blvd.)
o Click here for directions

· Central Pennsylvania/Middletown
o When: Thursday, June 1, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
o Where: St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (Spring & Union St.)
o Click here for directions

· Philadelphia
o When: Monday, June 5, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
o Where: Free Library of Philadelphia, South Philadelphia Branch (1700 South Broad St., Broad & Morris St.)
Click here for directions

· Northeast/Nanticoke
o When: Tuesday, June 6, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
o Where: Luzerne County Community College (1333 S. Prospect St.), Room 131, Building 10
o Click here for directions or go to www.luzerne.edu/about/welcome.asp

Registration is free. For more information or to register, contact Morgan Sheets at APPLL@amputee-coalition.org or 202/302-4373.

This meeting is aimed at bringing together people who want to learn how to fight for prosthetic parity in the state of Pennsylvania.

Read more!

NEWS: Double amputee conquers Mount Everest New Zealander reaches summit despite breaking artificial limb on ascent

Double amputee conquers Mount Everest New Zealander reaches summit despite breaking artificial limb on ascent
Reuters, 5/16/06

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - A New Zealand mountain climber who lost both his legs to frostbite has become the first double amputee to conquer Mount Everest, despite breaking one of his artificial limbs during the ascent.

Separately, a South Korean, who also has a New Zealand passport and a home in Auckland, climbed the mountain from one side and descended from another, the third such climb in history, authorities in Nepal said.

The amputee, Mark Inglis, 47, called his wife, Anne, on Monday night to tell her he was standing on the summit of the 29,035-foot peak, the world’s highest mountain, the New Zealand Herald reported.

“He’s dreamed of this all his life, probably. He’s over the moon,” the the newspaper quoted Inglis’ wife as saying.

Media reports said one of Inglis’s carbon-fibber legs snapped while climbing at around 6,400 meters and he was forced to repair it with spare parts.

Both legs lost to frostbiteIn 1982, Inglis lost both his legs from below the knees due to severe frostbite suffered after a blizzard trapped him and a fellow party member in a cave in New Zealand’s Mount Cook for 14 days.

New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark hailed Inglis’s climb.

“To reach the summit of Everest is a once-in-a-lifetime achievement for any climber, but for Mark Inglis it will be even more satisfying,” she said in a statement.

New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers to conquer Mount Everest in 1953.

In the Nepali capital, Katmandu, the tourism ministry said a team of South Korean climbers sent their leader, Park Young-Seok, and his Nepalese sherpa companion, Serap Jangbu, up the Tibetan north side of Everest.

The two climbed down the Nepali southern side after reaching the summit, the ministry said in a statement late on Monday.

Park said he and Jangbu encountered waist-deep snow on the Nepalese side during their climb, known as a traverse of the mountain.

Check it out: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12811777/

Read more!

CA: Innovation Outpaces Insurers

Innovation Outpaces Insurers
Advances in prosthetic limbs promise fuller life -- to some
By Mike Schwartz, Press-Enterprise, 5/14/06

Prosthetic technology has come so far so fast that bionic legs, arms and hands allow many who have lost limbs to disease or injury to walk, run, climb and grasp often as well as someone with natural limbs.

But for many, the advancing technology comes with a lofty price tag. And insurance coverage has not kept pace with prices, an inequity that has created several classes of patients, according to Dr. Lee Nattress, director of the Amputee Services and Technical Assistance Program in Riverside.

The few who are well-insured -- including active-duty military and veterans -- get the best space-age devices, Nattress said.

Then there are those who have insurance that allows serviceable prostheses but not high-tech models. Another group has inadequate coverage that provides for only basic equipment.
The lowest tier includes many patients sent home with nothing but crutches or a wheelchair, he said.

Deanna Boersma, of Yucaipa, has full independence with the College Park prosthetic legs she uses. Insurance pays only half of the $15,500 cost of the legs, which she must replace every two to three years.

"There's not a lot of motivation for insurers to spend more money," said John Miguelez, chief executive officer of Advanced Arm Dynamics, a prosthetics company in Los Angeles. "Research and development isn't truly effective if it's not available to patients."

The higher the technology and cost, the closer amputees can come to achieving their maximum potential and function as those with all their limbs.

'Afraid I'd Get Denied'

Deanna Boersma of Yucaipa needs prostheses that will allow her to keep up with her children and help her get around in her job as a registered nurse.

"I'm very active ... with two jobs and three kids, so I need to replace my legs every two or three years," said Boersma, 37, whose feet -- and later her lower legs -- had to be amputated after being scalded in bath water at age 2 ½.

"I probably should have gotten new ones last year, but I was afraid I'd get denied ... so I waited."

Boersma uses College Park prostheses, which cost about $15,500. Because her insurer covers only 50 percent of replacement costs, she faces big expenses.

"Since I need two, I buy one and they buy one," she said. However, this time, her insurer wanted a "second opinion on the price." A different prosthetist than the one she's relied upon for the past 10 years quoted a replacement cost that was $3,000 lower.

"I prefer my current prosthetist," Boersma said. "A proper fitting is crucial. I'm even willing to pay the difference."

Costs and Benefits

Few peer-reviewed studies have been conducted comparing the independence, health and quality of life of amputees with and without adequate and well-fitted prostheses.

However, some benefits are cited in an analysis of Assembly Bill 2012, sponsored by Assemblyman Bill Emmerson, R-Redlands. The analysis, completed in April, was done by the California Health Benefits Review Program, which is run by the University of California.
The pending legislation would require insurers to cover orthotic and prosthetic devices and services prescribed by physicians, surgeons and certified orthotist/prosthetists while eliminating a requirement that plans provide coverage "under terms and conditions that may be agreed between policy holder and insurer."

Deanna Boersma, of Yucaipa, plays with her 3-year-old son, Dylan. "I'm very active ... with two jobs and three kids, so I need to replace my legs every two or three years," she says, adding that she is willing to pay more to get a prostheses that fits properly.

The analysis stated that orthotic and prosthetic devices can help improve physical and psychological functioning by enabling users to exercise, work and perform other activities of daily living and, thus, reduce their dependence on caregivers. But at what cost?

For $5,000 to $7,000, a patient can get a serviceable below-the-knee prosthesis that allows the user to stand and walk on level ground. By contrast, a $10,000 device will allow the person to become a "community walker," able to go up and down stairs and to traverse uneven terrain.
A prosthetic leg in the $12,000 to $15,000 price range will facilitate running and functioning at a level nearly indistinguishable from someone with two legs.

"If they use a handicapped placard in their car, others may get upset, thinking they're faking," Nattress said.

Devices priced at $15,000 or more may contain polycentric mechanical knees, swing-phase control, stance control and other advanced mechanical or hydraulic systems.

Computer-assisted devices start in the $20,000 to $30,000 range, Nattress said. These take readings in milliseconds, adjusting for degree and speed of swing.

"Above-the-knee amputees can walk with a C-Leg without having to think about every step they take," he said.

Similarly, upper-extremity amputees can buy a nonfunctional cosmetic hand for $3,000 to $5,000 that "just fills a sleeve," Nattress said. "It allows them to get by in public without being noticed. For some, that's enough."

However, $10,000 will buy a transradial prosthesis, a functional "split hook" device for below-the-elbow amputees.

"You can pick up and hold things, but if you don't pay attention while eating an ice cream cone, you're liable to crush it," he said.

Cosmetically realistic myoelectric hands that open and close may cost $20,000 to $30,000 or more. These contain processors that tell how much pressure you're putting on a held object and whether it is hot or cold.

Murrieta teenager Michael Hanson watches as prosthetist Guy Savidan puts a test socket inside the socket of his prosthetic leg to show the size reduction that a recent weight loss will necessitate.

Prices remain high because prostheses cannot be mass-produced, Nattress said.

"If one device could serve everyone, then you could mass produce it and reduce costs," he said.

"But these are produced in relatively small numbers and made of custom materials, with a variety of componentry. You also need different sizes. So each model may have six or eight variations depending on the needs of each patient."

Medical need should remain the overriding approval criteria, contends Bryce W.A. Docherty, a lobbyist for the California Orthotics and Prosthetics Association in Sacramento. An amputee should qualify for a cosmetically appealing device no more easily than someone who seeks elective cosmetic surgery or who wants a brand name -- rather than a generic -- prescription.

"The COPA position is that all medically necessary prostheses should be covered," Docherty said. "But for anything above and beyond that, we wouldn't oppose reasonable co-pays and deductibles similar to all other benefits provided by an insurer."

Nattress agrees but argues that the system should allow case-by-case exceptions that distinguish between medical necessity and functional necessity.

Insurers say not everyone needs the most expensive devices and they try to match each patient with cost-effective equipment prescribed by his or her doctor that meets the criteria of medical necessity.

"In today's world, there are probably dozens of new treatments, services and devices employers are struggling to incorporate into benefits," said Susan Pisano, spokeswoman for America's Health Insurance Plans in Washington, D.C., which represents the nation's insurers.

"Generally, what employers, policymakers, doctors and others will find most compelling and be willing to pay for is evidence that something is not only new but that it works better and more cost-effectively than an existing drug, service or device," Pisano said.

A January poll of 468 Amputee Coalition of America members revealed ongoing insurance reimbursement problems: 24 percent of responders reported that their private prosthetics coverage had been reduced during the past three years and 4 percent said it had been eliminated entirely. For 48 percent, there had been no change, and 24 percent said they have no private insurance.

"These are very telling numbers," said Meredith Goins, the Amputee Coalition of America's marketing and outreach coordinator. "It helps to show the percentages of people out there still not getting care."

Advocates define "access" as qualifying not only for a first prosthesis after losing a limb but also for a lifestyle-enhancing upgrade as well as the ability to visit a prosthetist of their choice for fittings and maintenance. Neither meets most insurers' criteria for reimbursement based on sheer medical necessity.

Frequent Replacement

Several factors account for why prostheses require replacement every several years, Docherty explained.

Technology continually improves, with lighter, more durable materials such as graphite becoming available. Very active amputees, especially athletes, put a lot of wear on the devices. And children need more frequent replacements to keep pace with their growth, he said.
Many insurers impose such low annual caps on coverage that otherwise active or athletic amputees cannot afford anything but basic artificial limbs. Restrictions as low as $2,500 or less a year are becoming standards in California, said Miguelez, the Advanced Arm Dynamics chief executive.

Some insurers also will readily reimburse for an amputation and secondary complications (including further amputation) stemming from inactivity, but they will limit or refuse to cover a prosthesis, Miguelez said.

"Access is getting worse every year," said Guy Savidan, a certified prosthetist/orthotist and president of Inland Limb and Brace Co., in Temecula. "As baby boomers retire, many who remain physically active could really benefit from state-of-the-art prostheses.

"But what do they get? Cheaper, run-of-the-mill versions that just get them by."

The coverage that employers now provide is much more likely to include cost sharing by the employees such as 20 percent to 50 percent co-insurance or deductibles for many services, as opposed to the small co-payments more typical of managed-care plans in the 1990s, said Pisano, the America's Health Insurance Plans spokeswoman.

Kaiser Permanente, for one, requires patients who use prostheses to cover 20 percent of the cost.

"We purchase in large volume and pass discounts on to our members," said Jennifer Resch-Silvestri, spokeswoman at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Fontana.

A plan with minimal loss-of-limb coverage will cost much less than one with full coverage. Few people figure at the time they sign up that a catastrophic amputation will ever happen to them.
But the reality is troubling.

Growing Need

About 1.8 million Americans are living with limb loss, and more than 185,000 amputations are performed each year -- a toll expected to increase substantially as the population ages. More than 65 percent of amputations performed on people age 50 and older are due to diabetes and peripheral vascular disease.

Limb loss doesn't affect just the aged. Every day in the United States, children are born with missing limbs, and teenagers suffer amputations as a result of accidents or cancer.

One of Savidan's clients, Michael Hanson, 17, of Murrieta, was born without a tibia in his left leg, which led to the amputation of his leg above the knee in early childhood.

Hanson, a full-time assistant manager at Popeye's Chicken & Biscuits and an avid swimmer, would like to have a computerized Otto Bock C-Leg but can't afford one. His father's policy had covered his Ossur Flex-Foot 100 percent, but the insurer later slashed reimbursement by half, said his mother, Janice.

"We can't mortgage the house to pay for a C-Leg," said Janice, who is divorced. "But he's been able to get along on what insurance will pay for."

Reach Mike Schwartz at (951) 368-9591 or mschwartz@PE.com

Check it out: http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_D_bionicrev0514.8ec04e9.html

Read more!

FEDERAL: S.1955 defeated!!!

The Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act of 2005 (S.1955) was defeated in the Senate on May 11th. The cloture vote on Enzi's bill failed by a vote of 55-43. It needed 60 to pass. It is officially dead (for now). The ACA will continue to monitor this dangerous legislation and to work for real solutions to improve access to healthcare.

Read more!

NEW YORK: Prosthetic Parity Organizing Meeting

You are invited to a community information and organizing meeting to discuss prosthetic parity in New York!

New Yorkers living with the loss or absence of a limb are facing discouraging obstacles when trying to obtain prosthetic care. Current changes in insurance coverage for prostheses threaten their ability to lead independent, productive lives. This is your opportunity to do something about it.

You are invited to a community information and organizing meeting to discuss prosthetic parity in New York!
Join the Amputee Coalition of America in a meeting to discuss pushing for prosthetic coverage in the New York state legislature!

WHAT: New York Prosthetic Parity Organizing Meeting

DATE: Tuesday, May 16th

TIME: 7:00-9:00 p.m.

WHERE: Hospital for Special Surgery, 2nd Floor, Conference Room “A” (535 East 70th Street, between York & FDR Drive), New York, NY

Registration is free. For more information or to register, contact Morgan Sheets at APPLL@amputee-coalition.org or 202-302-4373.

The Amputee Coalition of America is working with people all over the country to advance prosthetic parity legislation. This meeting is aimed at bringing together people who
want to learn about how to fight for prosthetic parity in the state of New York.

Goals of the meeting:
I. Raise awareness about prosthetic parity.
II. Identify leaders and activists to help further parity in NY.

Directions
The parity meeting is being held at the Hospital for Special Surgery, which is located at 535 East 70th Street between York & FDR Drive.

Driving Directions: http://www.hss.edu/About/Maps-and-Directions/Driving-Directions/

Public Transportation: http://www.hss.edu/About/Maps-and-Directions/Public-Transportation/

Can’t attend the meeting? For those who are unable to attend the meeting on 5/16, we are holding a conference call the next day. NY Parity Organizing Call Wednesday, May17th6:30 p.m. For more information or to register for the call, contact Morgan at APPLL@amputee-coalition.org.

Read more!

We need your help to stop S.1955!

The Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act of 2005 (S. 1955) seems to be moving forward regardless of the opposition from activists, doctors and health care organizations all over the country.

This legislation would allow companies to get around state coverage mandates, such as prosthetic parity bills. And it is not just prosthetic parity that it is at stake here. There are many insurance benefit requirements that would be impacted by this bill. Cancer screenings, diabetes supplies and rehabilitation are just some of the vital benefits that would suffer.

The sponsors of this bill want people to believe that this bill will help small businesses provide affordable coverage. It not only fails at that task, but will make existing access and cost problems even worse. It would foil years of efforts at the state level to make sure that patients have the health coverage they need.
Contact your senators today to urge them to oppose this dangerous attack on quality coverage! A sample e-mail is included below.

You can call or fax your senator or send them an e-mail via their convenient online web forms.

To find your senator: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Sample E-mail
Dear Senator,
I am writing in response to S. 1955, the Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act of 2005. While this bill claims to make health care more accessible, it would actually allow companies to get around state insurance requirements such as cancer screenings, diabetes supplies and prosthetics.

In addition to usurping benefit requirements, S. 1955 would also allow insurers to bypass state laws on premium limitations based on categories such as health status, age and gender. This means that state laws aimed at making health care more affordable for specific groups such as the elderly or people with disabilities --- those with ongoing health needs --- would be overridden.

This proposal claims to provide more affordable and expanded coverage not only fails at that task, but could also make existing access and cost problems even worse. I urge to oppose S. 1955 and continue to work for legislation that truly improves access to quality healthcare.

Sincerely,
Name, Address

Read more!

MA: Support prosthetic parity!

The Massachusetts Society of Orthotics and Prosthetics has been working hard to pass a prosthetic parity bill for several years. The 2006 version has a new number, H4858 and can be viewed online at: http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/ht04pdf/ht04858.pdf.

The bill was reported from the Financial Services Committee and referred to the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing on April 13. We need your help today to keep this bill moving forward!

Contact the members of the Health Care Financing Committee listed below today!

• Richard T. Moore: 617/722-1420 or Richard.Moore@state.ma.us
• Steven A. Tolman: 617/722-1280 or Steven.Tolman@state.ma.us
• Susan C. Fargo: 617/722-1572 or Susan.Fargo@state.ma.us
• Harriette L. Chandler: 617/722-1544 or Harriette.Chandler@state.ma.us
• Karen Spilka: 617/722-1640 or Karen.E.Spilka@state.ma.us
• Susan C. Tucker: 617/722-1612 or Susan.Tucker@state.ma.us
• Scott P. Brown: 617/722-1555 or Scott.P.Brown@state.ma.us
• Patricia A. Walrath: 617/722-2430 or Rep.PatriciaWalrath@Hou.State.ma.us
• J. James Marzilli, Jr.: 617/722-2430 or Rep.JamesMarzilli@hou.state.ma.us
• Frank M. Hynes: 617/722-2552 or Rep.FrankHynes@hou.state.ma.us
• James H. Fagan: 617/722-2430 or Rep.JamesFagan@hou.state.ma.us
• Harriett L. Stanley: 617/722-2676 or Rep.HarriettStanley@hou.state.ma.us
• Robert K. Coughlin: 617/722-2320 or Rep.RobertCoughlin@hou.state.ma.us
• John W. Scibak: 617/722-2220 or Rep.JohnScibak@hou.state.ma.us
• Robert S. Hargraves: 617/722-2305 or Rep.RobertHargraves@hou.state.ma.us
• Susan W. Gifford: 617/722-2090 or Rep.SusanGifford@hou.state.ma.us
• James B. Leary: 617/722-2030 or Rep.JamesLeary@hou.state.ma.us
• Stephen Kulick: 617/722-2210 or Rep.StephenKulick@hou.state.ma.us
  Thomas J. O'Brien: 617/722-2637 or Rep.ThomasOBrien@hou.state.ma.us
  
  It is important that you tell them to support H4858 and let them know why this bill is important to you. Time is of the essence, so send your e-mail or call today!

Read more!