We have 15 cosponsors to date. They are:
(CA-5) Mike Thompson
(CA-18) Anna Eshoo
(CA-19) Zoe Lofgren
(CT-2) Joe Courtney
(IA-1) Bruce Braley *
(IA-3) Tom Latham
(MO-1) Wm. Lacy Clay
(NC-3) Howard Coble
(NJ-7) Leonard Lance *
(OR-3) Earl Blumenauer *
(OR-4) Peter DeFazio
(TN-1) David “Phil” Roe
(WA-1) Suzan DelBene
(WA-7) Jim McDermott
(VA-11) Gerald Connolly
* Denotes co-leads who introduced the bill with
our lead sponsor, Rep Dave Reichert (WA-8)
This is a great start, but we still have a long way to go with 435 members of the House. Perhaps you have received a “form letter” response. If so, it will read something like this:
The letter will name the bill, then the committees it was referred to. It will go on to tell you a bit about lymphedema and about what the bill would do. And it will say something to the effect of keeping your thoughts in mind should the bill come to the floor for a vote.
Do not be satisfied with a noncommittal form letter. Keeping the constituent’s thoughts in mind if the bill were to reach the floor for a vote will not matter if it never gets to the floor. For the bill to get to the floor we need many more cosponsors. Therefore, the only meaningful support a member of Congress can give at this stage is to cosponsor.
Persistence is the key! Below are step-by-step instructions. Based on the action you have already taken, go to whatever step is appropriate.
1.) If you haven’t already, write your Rep using the submission form on our website. Add a brief paragraph to the provided template letter, explaining why this bill matters to you.
2.) Follow-up with a phone call, preferably a few days after sending your email. I cannot stress enough how important this step is! A link to look up the number to call, and a sample script, are below my signature.
3.) Ask others you know to also send emails, using the submission form. The more correspondence an office receives, the higher a priority will be placed on this this bill by that office.
4.) Schedule a meeting at your Rep’s closest district office. This is an election year, so members of Congress have many district workweeks and will be more eager than usual to meet with constituents and win their votes. Detailed instructions on how to schedule a district meeting and prepare for one are outlined in our State Team Handbook, which you can download here .
Thank you for your continued support, and don’t hesitate to contact me if you have a question about anything above.
______________________________
Heather Ferguson
Founder and Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
www.LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org
info@LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org
CALLING INSTRUCTIONS & ADVICE:
* Find your Representative’s DC number at www.house.gov/representatives/find.
* Ask to speak to the aide in charge of health legislation. It is likely that you will be transferred to voicemail, so have a concise, pre-planned message ready. Be sure to ask for a return call and leave your number.
Here is a sample script for your message:
“My name is (your name) and I am calling regarding HR 3877, the Lymphedema Treatment Act. I have written your office about this legislation, asking if Representative (name) would sign on as a cosponsor, and have not yet received an answer. This bill is very important to me and I would like to talk with your office about the merits of this bill. I would appreciate a call back at (your number).”
When speaking to the health aide, remember that the most important thing to convey is why passage of this legislation is so important to you, and how it would improve your quality of life (or that of your patients, loved one, etc.). Your personal stories are the most important and persuasive tools we have!
Be brief and to the point, showing why the legislation is needed. Add that Medicare automatically denies coverage for doctor-prescribed compression supplies because they do not fit under a benefit category. Thus, many patients suffer from disease progression and painful, costly infections. This bill will enable compression supplies to be covered under the DME (Durable Medical Equipment) benefit category.
MOST IMPORTANT: Conclude by asking when and how you can expect to hear from them regarding your Representative’s decision to cosponsor.
