Update on Federal Lymphedema Bill - 04/10/10
lymphedemapeople
· We just picked up our third co-sponsor of the bill! It is
Congressman Howard Coble of North Carolina.
· Please contact your Representative and both of your Senators
if you have not already done so – it is never too late! Info to assist
you on that is attached. If you have already contacted them and they
have not responded try again, and perhaps try a different method or
multiple methods (phone, fax, mail & email) to reach them.
· For those of you looking to do more you can also contact all
of the Health Subcommittee members and/or all of the relevant
caucuses. Again, information with everything you need to do so is
attached. Letters to the Health Subcommittee members can be the same
as those to your own Representative but also ask them to “schedule
this bill for hearing and mark up.” When you write the caucuses you
are simply expressing your desire that the caucus “support” the
legislation, not co-sponsor or take any specific action. Let me know
if you have questions.
· I did a television interview with Congressman Kissell about
the bill, which was coordinated to take place at my son’s fitting for
his next compression garment. You can view the story at
http://news14.com/charlotte-news-104-content/top_stories/624244/mother-takes-state-health-care-fight-to-national-level.
· I encourage you to seek out media coverage for the bill in
your own areas as well. If you are comfortable sharing your story of
why this bill is important please contact your local news stations and
newspaper. Local coverage will help us eventually get national media
coverage!
· A group of us are going to DC to lobby for the bill on May
26th and 27th. If you are interested in joining us please let me know
and I will share the details.
· Bill endorsements - if you know of a group, treatment
facility, product provider, etc, who may be interested in endorsing
the bill please put them in touch with me so that I may put them in
touch with Congressman Kissell’s office. Many lymphedema
organizations and suppliers of lymphedema treatment products have
recently offered their formal endorsement of the bill. The ever-
growing list to date that list includes: Lymphedema Awareness
Foundation (LAF), Light House Lymphedema Network, Norton School of
Lymphatic Therapy, Lymphedema Community, Stand Up - Speak Out,
Lymphedema People, Lymph Notes, Lymphland, Klose Training &
Consulting, Academy of Lymphatic Studies, The Vodder School, MediUSA,
LympheDIVAs, Lohmann & Rauscher, BiaCare and ImpediMed.
· Help spread the word – as always, pass on this email and
other information about the bill.
Thank you,
Heather Ferguson