Dear ACA Supporter:

As you know, many ACA activities are supported through a cooperative agreement we have with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Through that agreement, we are able to run the National Limb Loss Information Center (NLLIC), provide resources for peer support, etc. Like all federal government programs, the NLLIC must receive “appropriations” from Congress every year. Currently, Congress is in the process of trying to determine how much funding to provide each program. Fortunately, both the House and Senate have provided level funding (the same as last year) for the NLLIC. However, as they move through the final stages of the legislative process, we must make sure that Members of Congress hear from us. If you live in the state of one of the Members of Congress listed below, we urge you to contact their offices to ask them to provide level funding for the NLLIC. The number listed is for the Capitol Switchboard. Just call that number, ask for the Senator or Congressman’s office, and they will put you through to that specific office. Once you’re patched through, you should ask your Congressman or Senator, as a member of the Appropriations Committee, to please ensure that the NLLIC is not cut.

Below is sample call script that you can use. Timing is critical, so please try to make your calls this week.

The subcommittee offices are:

 Suggested call script

As a supporter of the Amputee Coalition of America, I am calling to urge (Congressman/Senator _____) to support funding for the National Limb Loss Information Center within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Limb loss is a significant medical, economic and social issue. Every year, approximately 185,000 Americans have part or all of a limb amputated. More than 1.6 million individuals are living their daily lives managing the consequences of amputation. Amputation may be the result of an accident, cancer or birth defect, but is most frequently caused by vascular disease and is often caused by diabetes. Furthermore, a number of soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan have suffered limb loss as a result of their service to our country. Regardless of the cause for amputation, people with limb loss have many physical, emotional, and medical needs. The CDC’s National Limb Loss Information Center helps meet these needs by providing resources and support to help people with limb loss reintegrate socially and economically into society. This program was level-funded in both the House and Senate Labor, Health and Human Services and Education appropriations bill. We hope that (Congressman/Senator _____) will fight to ensure that this critical program remains funded in the Conference.

Thank you for your support,

This announcement is funded by the ACA and not supported with CDC grant funding.