NEWS! ACA's DC Office host Campaign Briefing and Pot Luck!
The Amputee Coalition of America's Washington advocacy office, held a campaign briefing and pot luck party on Wednesday, August 8 from 6:30pm-8:30pm! There were over 25 guests. Some came as far as Pennsylvania! Activist, health care professionals, business leaders and amputees gathered to learn about the national campaign and get involved with Virginia's and Maryland's campaign for coverage and learn about the ACA's Washington, D.C. Volunteer program. Verizon News was there, too!
National Parity Effort
The ACA's national parity campaign is really taking off. With 28 states working to advance a bill and a federal effort being considered, we rely on the dedication of our volunteers to help keep things moving.
Jeremiah Perez, national advocacy specialist, reached out to local members and secured funding to help support the creation of a volunteer program in the fall 2006. At the time, we had about three volunteer at our monthly gatherings. Recently, our volunteer nights have attracted as many as 25 people.
"The rapid growth of the volunteer program demonstrates the commitment of our membership and community presence," says Jeremiah Perez. "At the campaign briefing we raised $220! Plus, our volunteers helped raise over $15,000 in the past 6 months with mailings! We wouldn't be able to continue to fight for amputee rights without our volunteers dedication!"
Volunteers have already become an important part of the ACA's advocacy work by assisting with mailings, entering petitions to garner additional support and calling ACA members to encourage turnout for rallies, hearings and special events.
"This is not only a very exciting indicator of the support for prosthetic parity, but it has also been tremendously helpful in our efforts to support each of the state campaign in their efforts," says Morgan Sheets, national advocacy director.
To view more photos from the campaign briefing, click here!
MarylandActivist learned about the new campaign for Maryland! ACA met with the Maryland Insurance Administration in April of 2007. While the state has provided protections for orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) covered under non-profit service plans, there is still a loophole for health managed organizations (HMO's) and for-profit plans. For more information and to get involved with Maryland's effort, click here.
VirginiaBreaking News! The Special Commission on Mandated Health Insurance Benefits will hold a hearing to review SB 931, Virginia's prosthetic parity bill, on September 20th in Richmond. Please, put this date on your calendars. We will work with Sen. Ticer's office to coordinate for this meeting, but we will need your help. And we will certainly hope you will be there to show your support. For more information and to get involved, click here.
Read more!
posted by ACA's National Advocacy Team @ 8/10/2007 02:13:00 PM
1 comments
