Federal advocacy refers to the organized efforts and actions undertaken by individuals, groups, or organizations to influence and shape government policies, decisions, and legislation at the national level. The goal of federal advocacy is to bring about change and/or support a particular cause by engaging with and influencing federal lawmakers, agencies, and officials.
Federal advocacy is crucial for influencing the decision-making process on a national scale, addressing issues that affect the limb loss and limb difference community, and ensuring that the concerns and needs of our community are considered in the formulation of laws and policies at the federal level.
Amputee Coalition Federal Advocacy Initiatives
Funding for the National Limb Loss Resource Center
Have you ever had a peer visit? Joined a support group? Attended the Amputee Coalition’s annual National Conference or a Limb Loss Education Day? Has your child spent a week at Youth Camp? Have you ever read one of our publications, like First Step or Take a Seat, Check Your Feet? Those resources are made possible by funding for the National Limb Loss Resource Center, the only national, comprehensive, evidence-based, and unbiased source of educational information and peer support services to promote prevention, recovery, reintegration, and the health of individuals who have limb loss or limb difference.
The Amputee Coalition operates the National Limb Loss Resource Center through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Funding for the National Limb Loss Resource Center is decided every year through the Congressional appropriations process.
The Amputee Coalition maintains an active presence with members of Congress in Washington, DC, meeting with key figures involved in the appropriations process and our supporters. This is why Hill Day events and other advocacy opportunities are so important to our community.
The Triple A Study Act
The Amputee Coalition applauds a major development in support of the limb loss and limb difference community, as the federal government has initiated a study of the barriers to prosthetic device assessment and access for 2.1 million Americans with limb loss or limb difference. After many years of grassroots and Congressional support for the Triple A Study Act (a bipartisan bill that calls for the study), the authors of the legislation moved the study forward through direct engagement with the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The Congressional champions are Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Representative G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), and Representative Brett Guthrie (R-KY).
The Amputee Coalition has proudly worked to develop, support, and advocate for the Triple A Study Act to ensure equitable health care for people living with limb loss or limb difference, and to uphold a common standard for best practices in our nation’s health systems. With the active leadership and engagement of advocates from across the country, the Triple A Study Act garnered bicameral, bipartisan support prompting the legislation’s original sponsors to send a letter to GAO to request that the study commence immediately – shortcutting the longer legislative process of consideration, passage, and enactment. The GAO study began in 2023 and results are expected in 2024.
With 28 million Americans currently at risk of limb loss, it is critical to understand the barriers to care and identify solutions to positively impact members of our community. Learnings from the GAO study will help identify ways to improve the quality of life for everyone who has limb loss or limb difference. The Amputee Coalition is committed to spreading these new discoveries through all its programs, including the National Limb Loss Resource Center and the Administration of Community Living.
Policy Statements
The Amputee Coalition frequently releases comments, letters, and statements regarding a variety of issues that affect the limb loss and limb difference community. Below is a selection of these statements:
- Amputee Coalition led Support Letter for H.R. 5547 – the MINI Act
- 2024 ITEM Coalition Support for S. 3621 the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act (D1112354)
- 2024 ITEM Coalition Support for S. 2984- the Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act (D1112402)
- 2024 ITEM Coalition Support for H.R. 1583- the Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act (D1112374)
- 2024 ITEM Coalition Support for H.R. 1328 the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act (D1112590)
- 2024 DRRC Thank You Letter to Director of NIDILRR for Long Range Plan 2024-2028
- 2024 DRRC Letter to Director of NIH Support for WGD-SID Recommendations
- 2024 DRRC letter to Census Bureau Requesting Inclusion in Stakeholder Meetings for ACS Disability Questions
- 2024 AC letter Medi-Cali reimbursement rates for orthotics and prosthetics
- 2024 AC Fall Prevention Reporting and Data Collection Comment Letter
- AAPD Sign-On 2024 Memo to Major Networks
- AAPD 2024 Presidential Candidate Questionnaire sign on
- Amputee Coalition comments in response to Request for Information; Federal Evidence Agenda on Disability Equity
- CCD 2024 LGBTQI+ Rights Statement For Sign On
- CCD Appropriations Committee Rider opposition Letter
- DRRC Response to Reforming the National Institutes of Health Framework for Discussion
- FY25 Non-Defense Discretionary Funds Coalition for Health Funding and Ndd United Sign-on Letter
- CCD Support S. 1332, the Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act Sign-on Letter
- Amputee Coalition Comments on Proposed LCD: Lower Limb Prostheses
- Amputee Coalition Fall Prevention Reporting and Data Collection Comment Letter
- American Community Survey and the Puerto Rico Community Survey
- Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Discrimination on the Basis of Disability in Health and Human Service Programs or Activities. Docket No: 2023-19149, RIN: 0945-AA15
- Joint ITEM/CPR Coalition Comments on Proposed Rule Updating Section 504 Regulations: Discrimination on the Basis of Disability in Health and Human Service Programs or Activities (RIN: 0945-AA15)
- DRRC Comments on Proposed Rule Updating Section 504 Regulations: Discrimination on the Basis of Disability in Health and Human Service Programs or Activities (RIN: 0945-AA15)
- Support for H.F. 3339 and S.F. 3351 Regarding Patient Access to Prosthetic and Custom Orthotic Care
- Amputee Coalition Comments Regarding Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting
- Voices for Non-Opioid Letter
- Amputee Coalition Comment Letter Regarding Nondiscrimination and Web Accessibility
- CCD [Docket No. FR–6381–N–01] Improving Access to Public Benefit Programs; Request for Comment
- Patient Provider Advocates for Telehealth
- QRTP Letter 118th Congress
- 2023 Support S-1332 Sign-On Letter
- DRRC Letter to NIMHD and AHRQ
- Letter of Support Fairness in Social Security Act
- American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association 2023 Letter of support HB 4315
- ARC Act Comment Letter
- CCD Fiscal Policy TaskForce-letter on Budget Allocations
- CCD letter regarding CMS-2439-P – Medicaid Program; Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Managed Care Access, Finance, and Quality
- CCD letter regarding CMS-2442-P, Medicaid Program; Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services
- S 545 (118) – Air Carrier Access Amendments Act of 2023
- The Amputee Coalition supports the (ITEM) Coalition’s comments on Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) regarding nondiscrimination in health programs and activities.
- Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation Support for The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act
- Fiscal Year 2023 Defense Health Research Consortium Letter to House
- Request for Fiscal Year 2023 funding for National Limb Loss Resource Center
- The Amputee Coalition supports HB22-1253: Adaptive Equipment in Rental Motor Vehicles
- Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition: Bridging Health Equity Gaps for People with Disabilities and Chronic Conditions
- Research America request for federal funding for medical and public health research
- HCBS Thank You Letter to Biden Administration