Did you know that the Amputee Coalition of America is introducing federal legislation to protect access to prosthetic care?  The ACA has been working with states across the country to push for legislation that ensures that amputees get prosthetic care.  Seven states have passed prosthetic parity laws, stating that prostheses must be covered on par with the federal Medicare program.  This means that the restrictive caps and exemptions on repairs would no longer be allowed.  There are currently 29 states advancing prosthetic coverage bills. 

And now the ACA is taking the fight to Congress!  But we need your help!

TAKE ACTION!  We are pursuing Rep. Tom Petri (R-WI) to be an original cosponsor of the prosthetic parity bill.  We need your help to demonstrate that people in Wisconsin support this important legislation. 

It will take less than ten minutes.  We just need you to send two e-mails.  Easy, but it will make a difference!  Contact information and a sample letter are included below.  

• Contact Debbie Gebhardt.  She is Petri’s Chief of Staff.  She can be reached at debbie.gebhardt@mail.house.gov.

• Contact Lindsay Bowers.  She is Petri’s Legislative Assistant for issues related to ERISA (a federal regulation for certain health plans).  She can be reached at lindsay.bowers@mail.house.gov. 

 Think about sending us as copy of your e-mails, so we can track the number of messages that have been sent! 

Sample E-mail

Dear Ms. ______ (Gebhardt or Bowers),  

I am writing to urge Rep. Petri to co-sponsor the federal prosthetic parity bill.  This bill will ensure that prostheses are treated the same as other basic, essential care.

Numerous studies have been done that demonstrate that prosthetic parity is not only low cost to individuals under private and group insurance plans, but it also results in a savings to the private and public sector.   

Prosthetic coverage bills have been launched all over the country.  Currently, seven states have passed prosthetic parity laws.  Another twenty-nine states, including Wisconsin are working to advance bills.  It is time for Congress to take a stand on this important issue. 

This is an opportunity to ensure that people with limb loss are given the care they need to fully participate in society!  I hope that Rep. Petri will co-sponsor the federal parity bill when it is introduced.    

Sincerely,

 NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE

If you would like to be an overachiever and go one step further….

• You can also make a call to Petri’s office and leave a message urging him to sponsor the bill.  Just call his office at 202/225-2476.  You will be leaving a message with a staff person. They will ask for your name and hometown.   

Sample Phone Message:  I am calling to urge Representative Petri to sponsor the federal prosthetic parity bill.  I am a member of the Amputee Coalition of America, the organization working to advance prosthetic parity.  I think this is an important piece of legislation.   

PLEASE TAKE ACTION TODAY TO HELP KEEP THE FEDERAL BILL MOVING! 
If you have any questions about the federal campaign, please contact us at federal@amputee-coalition.org or 202/742-1886.  To find out more about the Wisconsin campaign, visit the state campaign page at: http://www.amputee-coalition.org/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=335&z=18.