But who should I vote for?

Deciding who to vote for is an important decision...one you should make for yourself!

There are lots of website to help you learn where the various candidates stand on the issues. Make sure that you find out about the local races in your area.

How do I find out more about the candidates? Check out resources like Project Vote Smart. Project Vote Smart is a nonpartisan organization that maintains a comprehensive search site to learn more about candidates' background including voting records and public statements.

http://www.votesmart.org

You can also look your state legislative site to see how lawmakers voted on specific bills (including prosthetic parity): http://www.ncsl.org/public/leglinks.cfm.

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Get out and vote!

It is so important that you exercise your right to vote. This is your chance to determine who represents your interests and protects your rights!





What is the registration deadline for my state? What are the eligibility requirements? http://www.declareyourself.com/voting_faq/state_by_state_info.html

Can I register online? http://rockthevote.com/ (to print out a registration form)

Where do I go to vote? How do I locate my polling place? http://www.rockthevote.com/voting-is-easy/the-voting-process/

Do I need to bring a photo ID? http://www.pewcenteronthestates.org/uploadedFiles/voter%20id%20laws.pdf

The secretary of state usually oversees regulations and issues related to voting. If you have additional questions, contact your secretary of state’s office.

Contact information: http://nass.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=89&Itemid=1

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Exercise Your Right to Vote

The Amputee Coalition of America’s national advocacy department has been working hard to advance legislation throughout the country to create a consistent standard for prosthetic benefits. We have also worked on issues related to Medicare coverage for prosthetic and orthotic care and regulations for assistive devices. Plus, Congress is currently reviewing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the groundbreaking legislation preventing discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, public services and public accommodations.

Many important issues are considered in state legislatures and in Congress that impact the daily lives of every person with limb loss in this country. The lawmakers that make these decisions are put in office by the people who exercise their right to vote.

In November, we will elect the next president of the United States. In addition to choosing the next commander in chief, many states will also fill seats for Congress, their state legislatures and even local officials like mayors and town council members.

Each of these individuals is put in a position of power on a wide range of issues from local highways to health insurance regulations. They are put in this position by people like you. That is why voting is not only your right, but also your obligation.

The presidential election will occur on Tuesday, November 4th, 2008. In most states and municipalities this is also the election day for other positions. In order to vote you need to be at least 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen. Some states have other requirements regarding residency. If you are a student or a temporary resident, you may also want to consider an absentee ballot for your home state. Each state has own registration requirements, procedures and deadlines.

While a couple states are considering or utilizing same day registration, most will require you to register at least 15-30 days prior to the election, so get moving! Voting is your civic duty. It is also your chance to weigh in on who will make the decisions that affect your life. So get register, get educated and get out to the polls in November!

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ACA Staff on the Hill Pushing Parity Bill

The Prosthetic Parity Act (HR 5615) provides insurance parity under employer-paid and group health insurance coverage for prosthetic devices and components. On July 22nd, ACA staff and board members headed to Capitol Hill to work towards securing additional co-sponsors from the House Committee for Education and Labor. The group had a total of ten meetings with staff from the offices of Representatives Tom Price (R-GA), John Kline (R-MN), David Davis (R-TN), Judy Biggert (R-IL), Randy Kuhl (R-NY), Ric Keller (R-FL), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Timothy Walberg (R-MI), Peter Hoekstra (R-MI) and Virginia Foxx (R-NC).

These offices were specifically targeted, as the bill must first pass through the House Committee for Education & Labor, Subcommittee on Health, Education, Labor and Pension prior to being voted on by the entire chamber. The bill will also need to be considered in the Senate. The ACA is working with partners to get the senate version introduced. With a short period of time left in the session this year, they hope to potentially secure a hearing date, increase co-sponsors and identify additional partners as they look towards moving the bill in 2009.

Get involved and stay updated by visiting the ACA's website at: www.amputee-coalition.org/advocacy/index.html.

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NORTH CAROLINA: Urge Sen. Dole to help introduce the federal parity bill in the US Senate!

Senator Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) is seriously considering being the lead sponsor of the senate version of the prosthetic parity bill. We need your help to make sure we get a version introduced this year into the Senate. This will make it much easier to advance next year when we actually have the opportunity for a hearing and votes.

PLEASE TAKE 5 MINUTES TODAY and contact Sen. Dole's office!

Click here for contact information, a sample phone script and a sample letter.

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Join our MySpace and Facebook communities!

Find us at: http://www.myspace.com/amputeeadvocacyteam or http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10248638246.

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Get involved in the fight for parity!!!

How can I support the campaign? What's happening in Congress? What is going on in my state? How can I get involved?

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SUMMER UPDATE: ACA Pulling Out All the Stops for the Parity Campaigns

From Saturday, April 26 through Friday, May 2, amputees, providers of prosthetic care and other supporters from across the country organized events to raise awareness and build support for the proposed federal prosthetic parity law (House Resolution 5615) as part of our National Week of Action.

There were over 98 events in 89 different cities in 35 states. Over 10,000 postcards were collected by supporters. The postcards that were collected were bundled and dropped off by ACA staff in May. The cards continue to come in. We also launched an online petition. To date, we have collected over 4,000 signatures. We are looking to get to 10,000 by the end of the summer.

On June 11th, activists from all over the country converged on Capitol Hill for the Amputee Coalition of America’s first annual lobby day. The participants met with their House members and senators to urge them to support the federal parity bill. The lobby day helped us to confirm additional co-sponsors for HR 5615.

HR 5615 provides insurance parity under employer-paid and group health insurance coverage for prosthetic devices and components. It was introduced in March by Representative Rob Andrews (D-NJ) along with Representatives George Miller (D-CA), Todd Platts (R-PA), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), and Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL) signing on as original co-sponsors. Since then the number of co-sponsors has more than doubled.

Americans with health insurance should be covered for the costs of care for catastrophic illness or injury and that insurance coverage must include meaningful prosthetic care for individuals suffering limb loss.
We have a lot to celebrate from our state campaigns as well. In 2008, we have already seen four more states sign prosthetic parity legislation into law --- New Jersey, Indiana, Vermont and most recently, Louisiana. Another 29 states are working to advance such legislation. Many of them are gearing up to introduce bills in the next legislatives session.

The ACA hopes that with the continued success of our organizing initiatives and the help of our members, more lawmakers at the state and federal level will be convinced and compelled to pass these important bills into law.

Stay up to date by visiting our website at www.amputee-coalition.org/advocacy/index.html.

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ACA’s first annual lobby day was a success!

The ACA’s first annual lobby day (June 11th) went very well. ACA activists from far and wide (NC, MO, NY, PA, DE, etc.) turned out to Washington, DC to lobby their members of Congress in support of the federal parity bill (HR 5615).

Members of Congress are increasingly aware the extent to which health insurers deny many amputees access to artificial limbs that they need to lead active and independent lives.

On June 11th, participants met their House and Senate members and legislatives staff to seek their support of House Resolution 5615, which has had bipartisan support from its introduction. The activists also discussed possible cuts to Medicare rates for orthotic and prosthetic benefits.

For those who could not make the trip out to Washington, the ACA organized a national call-in day. Activists contacted the offices of their congressional delegation to urge their support.

WHAT’S NEXT? Contact your member of Congress today and ask them to sign on in support of the federal parity act (HR 5615). Click here to learn more and take action.

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