The ACA defines prosthetic parity as insurance companies covering prosthetic care on par with other basic medical services.
This Blog is intended to help groups organize at the grassroots level to support the state and federal campaign.
If you are interested involved in your state effort, contact us at state@amputee-coalition.org or 202/742-1885.
For more information about the congressional bill, we can be reached at federal@amputee-coalition.org or 202/742-1886.
July 27, 2007
JOIN US: ACA invites you to a Campaign Briefing and Potluck Party!
The ACA invites you to come to a campaign briefing and prosthetic parity party on August, 8th from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Come learn about the national campaign and find out ways you can get involved with the new Maryland campaign and help Virginia's Senate Bill 931.
Save the Date! Wednesday, August 8 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
RSVP is required. DATE: Wednesday, August 8. TIME: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. WHERE: 1436 U Street, NW, Suite #104 , Washington , D.C. 20009, between 14th and 15th Street .
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: The closest Metro is U Street /African-American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo (Green Line). The Metro is about three long blocks to the office. The office can also be reached by several bus lines, including 52, 53, 54, 90, 92, 93, 96, 98, S1, S2 and S4. PARKING: Reeves Center Garage. The entrance is behind the Reeves Center on U Street , just west of 14th Street across the street from Extra Storage Space. The flat rate is $7, or metered parking is available on the street.
R.S.V.P. REQUIRED: For more information or to R.S.V.P. please contact Jeremiah Perez at 202/742-1885 or jperez@amputee-coalition.org
CALL TO ACTION: Virginia's Letter to the Editor Drive!
Goal: Get a letter printed in each of Virginia’s major media markets and in the local papers for the commission members before September 1, 2007!
The Basics:
The most important issue should be in the first paragraph. State your case, add the facts or your personal story and wrap-up by re-stating the case. It is also good to include an action such as calling to support a bill or attending an event.
Keep it short. It should be between 100-400 words, but the shorter it is, the more likely it is to be printed. Many newspapers have strict limits on the length of letters and have limited space to publish them. You may want to check on the word limit before you submit the letter.
Make it legible. Your letter doesn't have to be fancy, but you should use a typewriter or computer word processor if your handwriting is difficult to read.
Send letters to weekly community newspapers, too. The smaller the newspaper's circulation, the easier it is to get your letter printed.
Be sure to include your contact information. Many newspapers will only print a letter to the editor after calling the author to verify his or her identity and address. Newspapers will not give out that information, and will usually only print your name and city should your letter be published.
Sample Letter:
Dear Editor,
I am writing in response to SB 931, a bill for prosthetic parity. Right now, many amputees in Virginia are unable to get the prosthetic care they need due to unfair and short sighted insurance practices.
Most people have do not understand what the prosthetic needs are of amputees, let alone the rehabilitation and therapy process to walk again, or hold a loved one in their arms. Prosthetic care is a cost item, which most people cannot afford. That is why we pay for insurance coverage, to cover for those unexpected health costs anyone of us may face.
Tragically, there is a trend among insurance companies to limit coverage options. In some cases, they are even eliminating coverage for prosthetic care. We need to protect this important care for the people of our state who need it. That is why Senator Pat Ticer has introduced SB 931.
SB 931 requires insurance companies to cover prostheses on par with other basic, essential services. Seven other states have passed prosthetic parity bills. This legislation supports people with limb loss in their efforts to recover and be active persons by preventing unjust limits on their insurance coverage.
Several states have passed similar bills. It is time for Virginia to step up and protect access to this very basic and essential medical care. I urge policy makers to support Senate Bill 931.
Sincerely,
Name Address Phone
Copy and paste the above sample letter to the editor and e-mail / mail it off today! Click here to find Virginia local and state newspapers! Click here, for more information about Virginia's campaign for prosthetic coverage.
The parity campaign is featured in a podcast on Disability Nation, an online magazine for people with disabilities. Click here to check it out! Read more!
