Happy Lymphedema Awareness Day!
Today marks the 22nd annual Lymphedema Awareness Day, a tradition started by Saskia Thiadens, founder of the National Lymphedema Network (NLN). Each year, on this day, the NLN honors inspirational patients, exceptional caregivers, and individuals who have made remarkable contributions to bettering the lives of those who suffer from lymphedema.
This year, the NLN has selected our congressional leadership team – the sponsors of our House and Senate bills – in recognition of their outstanding work to improve insurance coverage for compression supplies through passage of the Lymphedema Treatment Act!
Tomorrow, on behalf of the National Lymphedema Network, I will have the pleasure of presenting these awards in person to some of the offices listed below. I have included their phone numbers below my signature, in case you would like to call them to say, “Thank you for sponsoring the Lymphedema Treatment Act, and please do everything in your power to ensure that this bill is passed this year!“
These members of Congress are fighting for us, and we should let them know how much we appreciate it. Several weeks ago our lead House sponsor, Rep Dave Reichert, made a passionate plea, calling on Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell to help us in our quest for coverage of compression supplies. You can view this must-see video clip here.
This statement was made in the context of a budget hearing discussing the President’s cancer “moonshot” initiative, and hence why Rep Reichert refers specifically to cancer related lymphedema, but he is working to improve care for all lymphedema patients, and the LTA will ensure coverage of compression supplies for lymphedema from all causes.
Make sure to continue to write and call your own members of Congress, as many times as it takes, if your Representative and both Senators are not yet cosponsors. The links to all our advocacy forms that make it easy to take action are listed under the How You Can Help menu along the left hand side of our website.
Together, we CAN and we WILL pass the Lymphedema Treatment Act!
Heather Ferguson
Founder & Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org
Here are the numbers to call our Congressional leadership team and say, “Thank you for sponsoring the Lymphedema Treatment Act, and please do everything in your power to ensure that this bill is passed this year!“
SENATE:
Senator Maria Cantwell (WA) – 202-224-3441
Senator Chuck Grassley (IA) – 202-224-3744
Senator Mark Kirk (IL) – 202-224-2854
Senator Chuck Schumer (NY) – 202-224-6542
HOUSE:
Representative Dave Reichert (WA) – 202-225-7761
Representative Earl Blmenauer (OR) – 202-225-4811
Representative Leonard Lance (NJ) – 202-225-5361
Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL) – 202-225-2111
