On September 18th, Senators Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) introduced a prosthetic parity bill in the US Senate (BILL NUMBER).  ### is designed to ensure that amputees with employer-paid health insurance are able to access needed prosthetic care in order to lead full and independent lives.  With the introduction of the Senate bill, both houses of Congress are considering legislation. 

We are looking to sign on additional co-sponsors in support of this important legislation.  The Senate is scheduled to adjourn on September 26^th, so we have just a few days left.  We need your help to get your senators on board!

TAKE ACTION:  Contact your senators TODAY to urge them to support the federal parity bill!  We have included a sample phone message and sample e-mail/letter. Take a moment to call your senators today!

ü       Click here to find out who your senators are: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm.   

ü       Contact your senator by calling the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202)224-3121.

SAMPLE PHONE MESSAGE:  Hello.  My name is _____.  I am from _____.  I am calling in regards to ###, the federal Prosthetic Parity Act.  This bill creates a consistent and appropriate standard for prosthetic care.  It is important legislation for amputees throughout the country!  This legislation has strong, bipartisan support. I urge to sign on as a co-sponsor and support ###!

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Senators ___,

Over the past ten years, insurance companies have begun to change the way that they cover prosthetics. Amputees recovering from trauma or illnesses have been told that prosthetic care has been capped as low as $1,000 per year or even eliminated entirely.  Unfortunately this means that many patients are left with zero coverage by the time they have left the hospital and are in need of a device to replace a limb or support ongoing treatment.

Many states have already weighed in on this important issue by passing legislation creating a consistent standard for prosthetic care including **.  

Senators **** introduced ### on September 18^th, 2008 in the US Senate in order to create a consistent and appropriate standard for prosthetic care.  This legislation has bi-partisan support. 

Without this legislation, children, who outgrow their devices, and the elderly are especially hard hit because they may need a series of devices to correct deformities or treat progressive diseases. Policy holders who have fairly paid premiums and had thought that coverage for medically necessary devices was included are shocked when they receive the news that they will not receive the care they need to lead independent, productive lives.  

Denying a young person an artificial limb to replace one that has been amputated after treatment for cancer or injury is inhumane. Condemning an elderly patient to an expensive wheelchair who could otherwise be mobile is financially and morally irresponsible.

I urge you to support ###!  Please, sign on as a co-sponsor today.  

If you would like to be added as a cosponsor of ###, please have your staff contact either

Jenelle Krishnamoorthy (Tom Harkin) at jenelle_krishnamoorthy@harkin.senate.gov or Bill Pewen (Olympia Snowe) at bill_pewen@snowe.senate.gov.  

Sincerely,

Name, Address, Phone