Lymphedema Treatment Act Newsletter Archive

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October 8, 2018: We now have Cosponsors in all 50 States!

We’ve reached a new milestone, and something few bills ever accomplish – cosponsors from all 50 states! This would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of many people.I’m incredibly proud and grateful for your commitment to and passion for this cause!

September was a busy month for us. Fourteen of our advocates spent one to three days each on Capitol Hill and had a total of 81 meetings! A news story from the day Paralympian and National Ski Champion Thomas Walsh joined us can be seen here, and photos can be seen here.

We can’t let up! The list below shows Senate members who are not cosponsoring the LTA yet. If you see one orboth of your Senators on the list please call them this week.

Typical Congressional office hours are 9:00am until 5:00 or 6:00pm EST, and many have after hours voice mail as well. Your calls really do make a difference, so please keep them coming!

Heather Ferguson
Founder & Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org

Members of the SENATE who have NOT cosponsored the LTA yet, followed by a call script:

AK-Senate Lisa Murkowski – R 202-224-6665
AL-Senate Richard Shelby – R 202-224-5744
AZ-Senate Jon Kyl – R 202-224-2235
AZ-Senate Jeff Flake – R 202- 224-4521
CO-Senate Cory Gardner – R 202-224-5941
GA-Senate David Perdue – R 202-224-3521
GA-Senate Johnny Isakson – R 202- 224-3643
HI-Senate Brian Schatz – D 202- 224-3934
ID-Senate Jim Risch – R 202- 224-2752
ID-Senate Mike Crapo – R 202- 224-6142
IL-Senate Dick Durbin – D 202-224-2152
KS-Senate Pat Roberts – R 202- 224-4774
KY-Senate Rand Paul – R 202-224-4343
KY-Senate Mitch McConnell – R 202-224-2541 *
LA-Senate Bill Cassidy – R 202-224-5824
LA-Senate John Kennedy – R 202-224-4623
ME-Senate Susan Collins – R 202-224-2523
NC-Senate Richard Burr – R 202- 224-3154
NE-Senate Deb Fischer – R 202- 224-6551
NE-Senate Ben Sasse – R 202-224-4224
NH-Senate Margaret Wood Hassan – D 202-224-3324
NV-Senate Dean Heller – R 202-224-6244
OH-Senate Rob Portman – R 202-224-3353
OR-Senate Ron Wyden – D 202-224-5244 *
PA-Senate Pat Toomey- R 202-224-4254 *
SC-Senate Tim Scott – R 202-224-6121
SC-Senate Lindsey Graham – R 202-224-5972
SD-Senate John Thune – R 202-224-2321
TN-Senate Bob Corker – R 202-224-3344
TN-Senate Lamar Alexander – R 202-224-4944
TX-Senate Ted Cruz – R 202-224-5922
TX-Senate John Cornyn – R 202-224-2934
UT-Senate Mike Lee – R 202-224-5444
UT-Senate Orrin Hatch – R 202-224-5251 *
VA-Senate Mark Warner – D 202-224-2023
WV-Senate Joe Manchin – D 202-224-3954
WY-Senate Mike Enzi – R 202-224-3424
WY-Senate John Barrasso – R 202-224-6441

* These Senators are in leadership positions. They usually do not cosponor bills, but because of their powerful positions it’s even more imporant that these members hear from you! Just change the third sentance of the script below to, “I would like for Senator [name] to support this bill and ensure that it is passed into law this year.”

Call Script:
“I am a constituent calling in support of the Lymphedema Treatment Act, Senate bill number S.497. This bill is currently cosponsored by 64 Senators and 376 House members. I would like for Senator [name] to cosponsor this bill bill as well. This issue is important to me because…[2-3 brief sentences].”

You may be asked for your address so that they can verify you are a constituent. Asking for a call back from the Health Legislative Aide to discuss the issue further is optional but encouraged. Remember to be polite and concise. Every call counts!

October 2, 2018: Awareness & Educational Materials Available!

You can help raise awareness about lymphedema and the Lymphedema Treatment Act! All of our educational materials are available for order, or free download, via the Increasing Awareness page on our website.

Due to overwhelming demand (which had grown to over 200,000 cards per year!) we are no longer able to provide our information cards 100% free of charge, but we are able to cover the printing costs and you will pay only for shipping.

The House is now in recess until after the election, and all of those members are up for reelection. Now is a great time to try and speak to your Representative at local events, or by scheduling a District Meeting.

Remember, regardless of the election outcome, the current members of Congress stay in office until early January, when the next Congress begins. Therefor, it is only current members who can help us pass the LTA this year!

Heather Ferguson
Founder & Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org

September 24, 2018: Awareness Action Alert!

This week, U.S. Paralympic and National Champion Skier Thomas Charles Walsh will be joining us to advocate for the Lymphedema Treatment Act.

On Wednesday he will meet with members of Congress and their staff to help get the LTA across the finish line this year! If you have contacts in the media, please consider sending them this press release.

You can also help by writing your own Letter to the Editor. Using the form on our website you can send to both local and national publications in one easy step.

After entering your zip code you’ll be shown a list of local and national papers. Simply check the box next to all the publications you would like to send to, then compose your letter.

Suggested talking points are below. If you have any questions please reply to this email. Click here to get started. Thank you for speaking out!

Heather Ferguson
Founder & Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org

Suggested talking points for your letter are below. Do not feel obligated to use them all.

Note: even if your lymphedema is not cancer-related, mentioning the cancer connection,
particlarly as we head in to October (which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month)
may help increase the chances of your letter being published.

* MAKE IT PERSONAL – explain why this issue is important to you. General information you may want to include follows.

* Lymphedema is a chronic swelling that occurs when the lymphatic system is either faulty or damaged.

* There are many causes, but the most common is cancer treatments that remove lymph nodes, making lymphedema a significant survivorship issue.

* Lymphedema affects an estimated 3-5 million Americans, with two-thirds of all cases being cancer-related.

* 15% of all cancer survivors develop lymphedema, sometimes immediately and sometimes not until years or even decades later.

* Breast cancer is the leading cause, with 40% of all survivors developing lymphedema.

* There is no cure for lymphedema, but it can be effectively treated.

* Compression therapy is the cornerstone of treatment for lymphedema, yet compression supplies are not covered by Medicare and many other insurance policies.

* Without proper and consistent treatment lymphedema is progressive.

* Prognosis for the patient is far worse and treatment is more costly when the disease is not identified and treated in the earlier stages.

* For additional information about lymphedema and efforts to improve insurance coverage for treatment please visit www.LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org.

September 17, 2018: Paralympic Athlete with Lymphedema to Advocate for the LTA!

We are thrilled that Thomas Walsh, U.S. Paralympic Alpine Skier and National Champion, will be joining us on Capitol Hill next week!

“I am looking forward to another important thing in my life. I am proud to announce that I will be traveling to Washington, D.C. to speak with Congress about the Lymphedema Treatment Act. Lymphedema is a progressive condition that I acquired from my cancer treatment which causes my right leg to swell. But this has not stopped me from living my best life! I am honored to speak on behalf of all who suffer from this incurable condition.” ~ Thomas Walsh

Now age 23, Thomas has turned his grueling struggle with cancer during his early teens into the conquering of mountains, including some of the steepest slopes around the globe. Growing up in Vail, CO, his talent in winter sports was already putting him in the circle of elite athletes, but at age 14 when he was diagnosed with Ewings sarcoma, he had to focus his efforts to save his own life. The numerous after-effects of his treatments have left him physically challenged with nerve damage, a limping gait, and the life-long management of lymphedema. Mentally, however, the competitor remains, using his talent and discipline to continue skiing and inspiring others.

We are excited to have Thomas join us in our fight for coverage! If you are on Facebook, you may wish to follow Thomas Walsh. Watch for photos from our meetings and further updates on the LTA Facebook page.

Heather Ferguson
Founder & Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org

September 10, 2018: We now have the MOST SUPPORTED healthcare bill in Congress!

With the addition of two new cosponsors last week, the LTA officially became the most supported healthcare bill currently before Congress!

This is a monumental achievement for any bill, but especially for ours, considering that few offices had even heard of lymphedema before we undertook this effort. The chart to the right can be downloaded here.

You might be wondering, why has it not passed then, and why are we still trying to get more cosponsors? The answer is frustratingly simple – it’s hard to get any legislation involving a cost passed. Hard, but not impossible, and that is why we persist!

Even though we know there will be savings in reduced complications, there is still an upfront cost to new coverage. The greater the number of cosponsors the greater the will in Congress to pass the bill regardless of this.

The members of Congress not yet cosponsoring are listed below. A call script is beneath their phone numbers. Please keep the pressure on by continuing to call.

Members of our board will be on Capitol Hill this week, and the week of September 24th, to meet with these offices. Our meetings alone won’t get the job done though, they must hear from constituents too. Together, we can get the LTA passed!

Members of Congress who have NOT cosponsored the LTA yet:

AK-Senate Lisa Murkowski – R 202-224-6665
AL-02 Martha Roby – R 202-225-2901
AL-03 Mike Rogers – R 202-225-3261
AL-06 Gary Palmer – R 202-225-4921
AL-Senate Richard Shelby – R 202-224-5744
AZ-05 Andy Biggs – R 202-225-2635
AZ-Senate Jon Kyl – R 202-224-2235
AZ-Senate Jeff Flake – R 202- 224-4521
CA-04 Tom McClintock – R 202-225-2511
CA-12 Nancy Pelosi – D 202-225-4965
CA-23 Kevin McCarthy – R 202-225-2915
CA-25 Steve Knight – R 202-225-1956
CA-34 Jimmy Gomez – D 202-225-6235
CA-39 Ed Royce – R 202-225-4111
CA-42 Ken Calvert – R 202-225-1986
CA-43 Maxine Waters – D 202-225-2201
CA-45 Mimi Walters – R 202-225-5611
CA-48 Dana Rohrabacher – R 202-225-2415
CA-49 Darrell Issa – R 202-225-3906
CA-51 Juan Vargas – D 202-225-8045
CO-04 Ken Buck – R 202-225-4676
CO-05 Doug Lamborn – R 202-225-4422
CO-Senate Cory Gardner – R 202-224-5941
CT-Senate Chris Murphy – D 202-224-4041
GA-09 Doug Collins – R 202-225-9893
GA-Senate David Perdue – R 202-224-3521
GA-Senate Johnny Isakson – R 202- 224-3643
HI-02 Tulsi Gabbard – D 202-225-4906
HI-Senate Brian Schatz – D 202- 224-3934
ID-01 Raul R. Labrador – R 202-225-6611
ID-02 Mike Simpson – R 202-225-5531
ID-Senate Jim Risch – R 202- 224-2752
ID-Senate Mike Crapo – R 202- 224-6142
IL-14 Randy Hultgren – R 202-225-2976
IL-15 John Shimkus – R 202-225-5271
IL-Senate Dick Durbin – D 202-224-2152
IN-04 Todd Rokita – R 202-225-5037
KS-Senate Pat Roberts – R 202- 224-4774
KY-Senate Rand Paul – R 202-224-4343
KY-Senate Mitch McConnell – R 202-224-2541
LA-01 Steve Scalise – R 202-225-3015
LA-03 Clay Higgins – R 202-225-2031
LA-Senate Bill Cassidy – R 202-224-5824
LA-Senate John Kennedy – R 202-224-4623
MA-01 Richard Neal – D 202-225-5601
MD-01 Andy Harris – R 202-225-5311
MD-05 Steny Hoyer – D 202-225-4131
MD-07 Elijah E. Cummings – D 202-225-4741
ME-Senate Susan Collins – R 202-224-2523
MI-03 Justin Amash – R 202-225-3831
MI-06 Fred Upton – R 202-225-3761
MI-09 Sander Levin – D 202-225-4961
MP-Northern Mariana Islands Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan – D 202-225-2646
MS-Senate Cindy Hyde-Smith – R 202- 224-5054
NC-05 Viginia Foxx – R 202-225-2071
NC-06 Mark Walker – R 202-225-3065
NC-10 Patrick McHenry – R 202-225-2576
NC-13 Ted Budd – R 202-225-4531
NC-Senate Richard Burr – R 202- 224-3154
NE-03 Adrian Smith – R 202-225-6435
NE-Senate Deb Fischer – R 202- 224-6551
NE-Senate Ben Sasse – R 202-224-4224
NH-Senate Margaret Wood Hassan – D 202-224-3324
NJ-06 Frank Pallone Jr. – D 202-225-4671
NV-Senate Dean Heller – R 202-224-6244
NY-27 Chris Collins – R 202-225-5265
OH-01 Steve Chabot – R 202-225-2216
OH-04 Jim Jordan – R 202-225-2676
OH-08 Warren Davidson – R 202-225-6205
OH-Senate Rob Portman – R 202-224-3353
OK-Senate James Lankford – R 202-224-5754
OR-02 Greg Walden – R 202-225-6730
OR-Senate Ron Wyden – D 202-224-5244
PA-04 Scott Perry – R 202-225-5836
PA-Senate Pat Toomey- R 202-224-4254
SC-01 Mark Sanford – R 202-225-3176
SC-03 Jeff Duncan – R 202-225-5301
SC-04 Trey Gowdy – R 202-225-6030
SC-05 Ralph Norman-R 202-225-5501
SC-06 James E. Clyburn – D 202-225-3315
SC-Senate Tim Scott – R 202-224-6121
SC-Senate Lindsey Graham – R 202-224-5972
SD-Senate John Thune – R 202-224-2321
TN-03 Charles “Chuck” Fleischmann – R 202-225-3271
TN-08 David Kustoff – R 202-225-4714
TN-Senate Bob Corker – R 202-224-3344
TN-Senate Lamar Alexander – R 202-224-4944
TX-02 Ted Poe – R 202-225-6565
TX-06 Joe Barton – R 202-225-2002
TX-08 Kevin Brady – R 202-225-4901
TX-11 Michael K. Conaway – R 202-225-3605
TX-14 Randy Weber – R 202-225-2831
TX-20 Joaquin Castro – D 202-225-3236
TX-22 Pete Olson – R 202-225-5951
TX-25 Roger Williams – R 202-225-9896
TX-26 Michael Burgess, MD – R 202-225-7772
TX-29 Gene Green – D 202-225-1688
TX-31 John Carter – R 202-225-3864
TX-Senate Ted Cruz – R 202-224-5922
TX-Senate John Cornyn – R 202-224-2934
UT-01 Rob Bishop – R 202-225-0453
UT-04 Mia Love – R 202-225-3011
UT-Senate Mike Lee – R 202-224-5444
UT-Senate Orrin Hatch – R 202-224-5251
VA-02 Scott Taylor – R 202-225-4215
VA-04 Donald McEachin – D 202-225-6365
VA-06 Bob Goodlatte – R 202-225-5431
VA-08 Don Beyer – D 202-225-4376
VA-Senate Mark Warner – D 202-224-2023
WI-01 Paul Ryan – R 202-225-3031
WV-02 Alex Mooney – R 202-225-2711
WV-Senate Joe Manchin – D 202-224-3954
WY- At Large Liz Cheney – R 202-225-2311
WY-Senate Mike Enzi – R 202-224-3424
WY-Senate John Barrasso – R 202-224-6441

Call Script:
“I am a constituent calling in support of the Lymphedema Treatment Act (S.497 / H.R.930). This bill is already cosponored by 61 Senators and 366 House members, and is the most supported healthcare bill in Congress.
I would like for Senator/Representative [name] to cosponsor this bill bill as well. This issue is important to me because…[2-3 brief sentences].”

Heather Ferguson
Founder & Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org

September 3, 2018: LTA Advocates to be Recognized at DC Awards Reception

Next week, on September 12th, two individuals working hard to pass the Lymphedema Treatment Act will be recognized at the Rare Voice Awards in Washington, D.C.

Fourteen-year-old Sarah Meyer, who has attended several of our annual Lymphedema Lobby Days on Capitol Hill, is a finalist in the Youth category. Lindsay Manson from Representative Reichert’s office, our lead House sponsor, is a finalist in the Congressional Staff category.

This event is hosted by the Rare Disease Legislative Advocates organization. Primary lymphedema is associated with over 40 different rare diseases.

If you are in the D.C. area, we invite you to attend. The awards ceremony is free and open to the public, but you must register in advance and space is limited. More information is available here.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of our advocates throughout the nation, we are inching closer and closer to passing the Lymphedema Treatment Act. On this Labor Day, we salute you.

Thank you for your work to pass the LTA and improve the lives of millions of Americans affected by lymphedema!

Heather Ferguson
Founder & Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org

August 27, 2018: Advocacy on Social Media – Use Our Post and Tweet!

Attention Facebook and Twitter users: please share these posts on social media and tag the members of Congress listed at the bottom who haven’t cosponsored the LTA yet!

Twitter:
Please join the 425 members of Congress already supporting this bill and cosponsor the #LymphedemaTreatmentAct (HR930/S497) to reduce healthcare costs while improving patient care. ‪http://goo.gl/gvgtuQ

Facebook:
Please cosponsor the Lymphedema Treatment Act (HR930/S497). This bipartisan bill will reduce healthcare costs while improving patient care, and is already supported by 425 of your colleagues in the House and Senate. Visit www.LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org to learn more.

In cases where members do not allow new posts on their Facebook pages we suggest that you post this on your page with the member tagged.

Some members can also now be contacted directly through Facebook’s new Town Hall option! When making contact through these pages it will also identify you as a constituent, which is an added benefit.

Facebook and Twitter information for each non-cosponsoring member is below.
Thank you for your advocacy on social media!

Heather Ferguson
Founder & Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org

Members of Congress who have NOT cosponsored the LTA yet:

AK-Senate Lisa Murkowski – Twitter @lisamurkowski – Facebook@SenLisaMurkowski
AL-02 Martha Roby – Twitter @RepMarthaRoby – Facebook @Representative.Martha.Roby
AL-03 Mike Rogers – Twitter @RepMikeRogersAL – Facebook @CongressmanMikeDRogers
AL-06 Gary Palmer – Twitter @USRepGaryPalmer – Facebook @CongressmanGaryPalmer
AL-Senate Richard Shelby – Twitter @SenShelby – Facebook @RichardShelby
AZ-05 Andy Biggs – Twitter @RepAndyBiggsAZ – Facebook @RepAndyBiggs
AZ-Senate Jeff Flake – Twitter @JeffFlake – Facebook @senatorjeffflake
CA-04 Tom McClintock – Twitter @RepMcClintock – Facebook @Congressman-Tom-McClintock-81125319109
CA-12 Nancy Pelosi – Twitter @NancyPelosi – Facebook @NancyPelosi
CA-23 Kevin McCarthy – Twitter @GOPLeader – Facebook @RepKevinMcCarthy
CA-25 Steve Knight – Twitter @SteveKnight25 – Facebook @RepresentativeSteveKnight
CA-34 Jimmy Gomez – Twitter @RepJimmyGomez – Facebook @RepJimmyGomez
CA-39 Ed Royce – Twitter @RepEdRoyce – Facebook @EdRoyce
CA-42 Ken Calvert – Twitter @KenCalvert – Facebook @RepKenCalvert
CA-43 Maxine Waters – Twitter @RepMaxineWaters – Facebook @MaxineWaters
CA-45 Mimi Walters – Twitter @RepMimiWalters – Facebook @RepMimiWalters
CA-48 Dana Rohrabacher – Twitter @RepRohrabacher – Facebook @RepDanaRohrabacher
CA-49 Darrell Issa – Twitter @DarrellIssa – Facebook @darrellissa
CA-51 Juan Vargas – Twitter @RepJuanVargas – Facebook @RepJuanVargas
CO-04 Ken Buck – Twitter @RepKenBuck – Facebook @repkenbuck
CO-05 Doug Lamborn – Twitter @RepDLamborn – Facebook @CongressmanDougLamborn
CO-Senate Cory Gardner – Twitter @SenCoryGardner – Facebook @SenCoryGardner
CT-Senate Chris Murphy – Twitter @ChrisMurphyCT – Facebook @ChrisMurphyCT
GA-09 Doug Collins – Twitter @RepDougCollins – Facebook @RepresentativeDougCollins
GA-Senate David Perdue – Twitter @sendavidperdue – Facebook @SenatorDavidPerdue
GA-Senate Johnny Isakson – Twitter @SenatorIsakson – Facebook @isakson
HI-02 Tulsi Gabbard – Twitter @TulsiPress – Facebook @RepTulsiGabbard
HI-Senate Brian Schatz – Twitter @SenBrianSchatz – Facebook @SenBrianSchatz
ID-01 Raul R. Labrador – Twitter @Raul_Labrador – Facebook @raul.r.labrador
ID-02 Mike Simpson – Twitter @CongMikeSimpson – Facebook @Mike-Simpson-96007744606
ID-Senate Jim Risch – Twitter @SenatorRisch – Facebook @SenatorRisch
ID-Senate Mike Crapo – Twitter @MikeCrapo – Facebook @mikecrapo
IL-14 Randy Hultgren – Twitter @RepHultgren- Facebook @RepHultgren
IL-15 John Shimkus – Twitter @RepShimkus – Facebook @repshimkus
IL-Senate Dick Durbin – Twitter @SenatorDurbin – Facebook @dickdurbin
IN-04 Todd Rokita – Twitter @ToddRokita – Facebook @RepToddRokita
KS-Senate Pat Roberts – Twitter @SenPatRoberts – Facebook @SenPatRoberts
KY-Senate Rand Paul – Twitter @RandPaul – Facebook @SenatorRandPaul
KY-Senate Mitch McConnell – Twitter @SenateMajLdr – Facebook @McConnellForSenate
LA-01 Steve Scalise – Twitter @SteveScalise – Facebook @RepSteveScalise
LA-03 Clay Higgins – Twitter @RepClayHiggins – Facebook @CongressmanClayHiggins
LA-Senate Bill Cassidy – Twitter @SenBillCassidy – Facebook @SenBillCassidy
LA-Senate John Kennedy – Twitter @SenJohnKennedy – Facebook @SenatorJohnKennedy
MA-01 Richard Neal – Twitter @RepRichardNeal – Facebook @reprichardneal
MD-01 Andy Harris – Twitter @RepAndyHarrisMD – Facebook @AndyHarrisMD
MD-05 Steny Hoyer – Twitter @WhipHoyer – Facebook @WhipHoyer
MD-07 Elijah E. Cummings – Twitter @RepCummings – Facebook @elijahcummings
ME-Senate Susan Collins – Twitter @SenatorCollins – Facebook @susancollins
MI-03 Justin Amash – Twitter @justinamash – Facebook @justinamash
MI-06 Fred Upton – Twitter @RepFredUpton – Facebook @RepFredUpton
MI-09 Sander Levin – Twitter @repsanderlevin – Facebook @RepSandyLevin
MI-10 Paul Mitchell – Twitter @RepPaulMitchell – Facebook @reppaulmitchell
MO-Senate Claire McCaskill – Twitter @clairecmc – Facebook @senatormccaskill
MP-Northern Mariana Islands Delegate Sablan – Twitter @Kilili_Sablan – Facebook @Gregorio-Kilili-Camacho-Sablan
MS-Senate Cindy Hyde-Smith – Twitter @SenHydeSmith – Facebook @CindyHydeSmith2018
NC-05 Virginia Foxx – Twitter @RepVirginiaFoxx – Facebook @RepVirginiaFoxx
NC-06 Mark Walker – Twitter @RepMarkWalker – Facebook @RepMarkWalker
NC-10 Patrick McHenry – Twitter @PatrickMcHenry – Facebook @CongressmanMcHenry
NC-13 Ted Budd – Twitter @RepTedBudd – Facebook @RepTedBudd
NC-Senate Richard Burr- Twitter @SenatorBurr – Facebook @SenatorRichardBurr
NE-03 Adrian Smith – Twitter @RepAdrianSmith – Facebook @AdrianSmithNE
NE-Senate Deb Fischer – Twitter @SenatorFischer – Facebook @senatordebfischer
NE-Senate Ben Sasse – Twitter @SenSasse – Facebook @SenatorSasse
NH-Senate Margaret Wood Hassan – Twitter @SenatorHassan – Facebook @SenatorHassan
NJ-06 Frank Pallone Jr. – Twitter @pallonefornj – Facebook @RepFrankPallone
NV-Senate Dean Heller – Twitter @SenDeanHeller – Facebook @SenDeanHeller
NY-27 Chris Collins – Twitter @RepChrisCollins – Facebook @Rep-Chris-Collins
OH-01 Steve Chabot – Twitter @RepSteveChabot – Facebook @RepSteveChabot
OH-04 Jim Jordan – Twitter @Jim_Jordan – Facebook @repjimjordan
OH-08 Warren Davidson – Twitter @WarrenDavidson – Facebook @CongressmanWarrenDavidson
OH-Senate Rob Portman – Twitter @senrobportman – Facebook @senrobportman
OK-Senate James Lankford – Twitter @SenatorLankford – Facebook @SenatorLankford
OR-02 Greg Walden – Twitter @repgregwalden – Facebook @repgregwalden
OR-Senate Ron Wyden – Twitter @ClaremontWyden – Facebook @wyden
PA-04 Scott Perry – Twitter @RepScottPerry – Facebook @repscottperry
PA-Senate Pat Toomey- Twitter @SenToomey – Facebook @senatortoomey
SC-01 Mark Sanford – Twitter @RepSanfordSC – Facebook @RepSanfordSC
SC-03 Jeff Duncan – Twitter @RepJeffDuncan – Facebook @RepJeffDuncan
SC-04 Trey Gowdy – Twitter @TGowdySC – Facebook @RepTreyGowdy
SC-05 Ralph Norman – Twitter @RepRalphNorman – Facebook @RepRalphNorman
SC-06 James E. Clyburn – Twitter @Clyburn – Facebook @jameseclyburn
SC-Senate Tim Scott – Twitter @SenatorTimScott – Facebook @SenatorTimScott
SC-Senate Lindsey Graham – Twitter @LindseyGrahamSC – Facebook @USSenatorLindseyGraham
SD-Senate John Thune – Twitter @SenJohnThune – Facebook @johnthune
TN-03 Charles “Chuck” Fleischmann – Twitter @RepChuck – Facebook @repchuck
TN-08 David Kustoff – Twitter @RepDavidKustoff – Facebook @RepDavidKustoff
TN-Senate Bob Corker – Twitter @SenBobCorker – Facebook @bobcorker
TN-Senate Lamar Alexander – Twitter @SenAlexander – Facebook @senatorlamaralexander
TX-02 Ted Poe – Twitter @JudgeTedPoe – Facebook @JudgeTedPoe
TX-06 Joe Barton – Twitter @RepJoeBarton – Facebook @RepJoeBarton
TX-08 Kevin Brady – Twitter @RepKevinBrady – Facebook @kevinbrady
TX-11 Michael K. Conaway – Twitter @MikeConawayTX11 – Facebook @mike.conaway
TX-14 Randy Weber – Twitter @TXRandy14 – Facebook @TXRandy14
TX-20 Joaquin Castro – Twitter @JoaquinCastrotx – Facebook @Congressman-Joaquin-Castro
TX-22 Pete Olson – Twitter @RepPeteOlson – Facebook @Rep.PeteOlson
TX-25 Roger Williams – Twitter @RepRWilliams – Facebook @rogerwilliamstx
TX-26 Michael Burgess, MD – Twitter @michaelcburgess – Facebook @michaelcburgess
TX-29 Gene Green – Twitter @GeneGreen29 – Facebook @RepGeneGreen
TX-31 John Carter – Twitter @JudgeJohnCarter – Facebook @judgecarter
TX-Senate Ted Cruz – Twitter @SenTedCruz – Facebook @SenatorTedCruz
TX-Senate John Cornyn – Twitter @JohnCornyn – Facebook @SenJohnCornyn
UT-01 Rob Bishop – Twitter @RepRobBishop – Facebook @RepRobBishop
UT-04 Mia Love – Twitter @RepMiaLove – Facebook @repmialove
UT-Senate Mike Lee – Twitter @SenMikeLee – Facebook @senatormikelee
UT-Senate Orrin Hatch – Twitter @OrrinHatch – Facebook @senatororrinhatch
VA-02 Scott Taylor – Twitter @RepScottTaylor – Facebook @RepScottTaylor
VA-04 Donald McEachin – Twitter @RepMcEachin – Facebook @RepMcEachin
VA-06 Bob Goodlatte – Twitter @RepGoodlatte – Facebook @BobGoodlatte
VA-08 Don Beyer – Twitter @RepDonBeyer – Facebook @RepDonBeyer
VA-Senate Mark Warner – Twitter @MarkWarner – Facebook @MarkRWarner
WI-01 Paul Ryan – Twitter @SpeakerRyan – Facebook @paulryanwi
WV-02 Alex Mooney – Twitter @RepAlexMooney – Facebook @CongressmanAlexMooney
WV-Senate Joe Manchin – Twitter @Sen_JoeManchin – Facebook @JoeManchinIII
WY- At Large Liz Cheney – Twitter @RepLizCheney – Facebook @replizcheney
WY-Senate Mike Enzi – Twitter @SenatorEnzi – Facebook @mikeenzi
WY-Senate John Barrasso – Twitter @SenJohnBarrasso – Facebook @barrassoforwyoming

August 20, 2018: Only 2 States Not Yet Supporting the LTA!

The Lymphedema Treatment Act has cosponsors from every state except for Idaho and Wyoming.
If you or someone you know live in one of these states we need your help!

The offices not yet supporting are:

ID-01 Raul R. Labrador – 202-225-6611
ID-02 Mike Simpson – 202-225-5531
ID-Senate Jim Risch – 202- 224-2752
ID-Senate Mike Crapo – 202- 224-6142

Please forward this email to others you know in these states. We also have a sharable Facebook post.
Thank you for helping us achieve support from all 50 states!

Heather Ferguson
Founder & Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org

August 12, 2018:New Video and other Patient Resources

Did you know that animals can get lymphedema too, particularly horses? This short video created by HEALequine encourages kids living with lymphedema to be the best they can be. Several of our young LTA advocates, including my son Dylan, are featured sharing their words of wisdom for others!

If you or someone you care about is a lymphedema patient, you may find the links on our Resourcespage helpful. And to help spread awareness, we encourage you to share our Public Service Announcement and utilize the materials available on our Increasing Awareness page.

We can all help to educate others and bring lymphedema out of the shadows!

Heather Ferguson
Founder & Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org

August 6, 2018: Cosponsor update!

We’ve finally reached our long-sought 60 Senate cosponsors – sort of. According to Congress.gov, the official government website for tracking legislative information, we have 60. However, three of the Senators listed are no longer in office.

To have 60 cosponsoring Senators who can vote for the bill we need three more, and hence this week’s call to action! Below are the 43 Senators not yet cosponsoring the LTA, followed by a call script.

If one or both of your Senators are not yet cosponsoring please call them this week. Typical Congressional office hours are 9:00am until 5:00 or 6:00pm EST, and many have after hours voice mail as well.

It’s quick and easy – honest! We’ve heard feedback from many members who had never called a Congressional office before who were pleasantly surprised. Your calls do make a difference!

Heather Ferguson
Founder & Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org

July 29, 2018: Watch Congressman Reichert’s new video message to lymphedema advocates!

As we approach the final months of the 115th Congressional Session, our lead House sponsor Congressman Reichert is doing everything possible to secure coverage for lymphedema compression supplies and garments.

In this message he thanks advocates for sharing their stories with members of Congress and helping the Lymphedema Treatment Act (LTA) reach monumental bipartisan support of more than 400 cosponsors. Please watch and share!

Members of Congress will be in their home districts during the August recess, so it’s a perfect time to meet face to face and personally ask them to support the LTA, and ensure it gets passed this year.

* Request a District Meeting

* Attend a Town Hall or local event

* Find them at state and county fairs

Information to prepare you for speaking with your members of Congress, as well as printable materials to give them, are available on the District Meetings page of our website.

Let us know if you have any questions and thank you for your advocacy!

Heather Ferguson
Founder & Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org

July 23, 2018:Tis’ the Season for Town Hall Meetings!

With the upcoming August recess and midterm elections in November, many members of Congress will be hosting Town Hall meetings and other public events in the coming weeks and months. These are great opportunities to speak to your members of Congress about the Lymphedema Treatment Act!

To learn about these events we suggest you visit the websites and social media pages for your members of Congress. Events are typically not publicized very far in advance, so you will need to check periodically. Signing up to receive their newsletters is also a good idea, as events are often announced there.

Another great resource is the website Town Hall Project, which has nationwide information for all members of Congress. You can also sign up to be notified about events in your area, which is a great convenience.

Here is a two minute video clip of one of our advocates speaking to her Congressman at a Town Hall.
Less than 24 hours later, he had cosponsored the bill! Not only that, he also talked to the one other Congressman in his state who had yet to cosponsor and got him to sign on as well!

Once you identify an event, you can prepare for it in the same way you would a district meeting, information for which is on our website. When we speak up it makes a difference – thank you for your advocacy!

Heather Ferguson
Founder and Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org

July 15, 2018: Join your Lymphedema Advocacy State Team today – it’s FREE!

We have grassroots advocacy teams in all 50 states! If you haven’t joined your state’s team yet here are a few reasons why we hope you will consider it.

No prior advocacy experience is needed.

The time commitment is entirely up to you.
It won’t cost you a thing and you can do everything
needed to increase support for the LTA right from home.
If your Representative and Senators are not yet cosponsors,
you will receive additional support to get them signed on.
If your Representative and Senators are already cosponsors,
you can assist others in reaching that goal.
The more people that get involved the sooner lymphedema patients will have coverage for their vital compression supplies!

Additional information and a link to join your team can be found on the State Teams page of our website.

After joining you will be introduced to the other members of your team via email. If you have any questions please respond to this message.

As of today we have 353 House cosponsors and 58 Senate cosponsors. Join your team and help us get the Lymphedema Treatment Act passed this year!

Heather Ferguson
Founder & Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org

July 9, 2018: ACTION ALERT: Contact SENATE Leaders!

This week, we ask that you contact the following six Senate leadership offices. A phone script, sample Tweet, and fax forms are below. Choose your method of contact or feel free to use them all!

Finance Committee Chairman, Senator Orrin Hatch
phone (202) 224-5251 — fax (202) 224-6331 — Twitter @SenOrrinHatch

Finance Committee Ranking Member, Senator Ron Wyden
phone (202) 224-5244 — fax (202) 228-2717 — Twitter @RonWyden

Finance Health Subcommittee Chairman, Senator Patrick Toomey
phone (202) 224-4254 — fax (202) 228-0248 — Twitter @SenToomey

Finance Health Subcommittee Ranking Member, Senator Debbie Stabenow
phone (202) 224-4822 — fax (none) — Twitter @SenStabenow

Majority Whip , Senator John Cornyn
phone (202) 224-2934 — fax (none) — Twitter @JohnCornyn

Minority Whip, Senator Dick Durbin
phone (202) 224-2152 — fax (202) 228-0400 — Twitter@SenatorDurbin

Phone script:
“Please tell Senator [name] to pass the Lymphedema Treatment Act (S497) this year. With over 400 cosponsors, this bipartisan and bicameral bill is one of the most widely supported health care bills in Congress. Millions of Americans with lymphedema – the majority of them cancer survivors – are counting on Senator [name] to modernize Medicare and close this coverage gap.”

Fax form (GoogleDocs):
Version 1 – download as a Word doc, complete then print.
Version 2 – print then complete by hand.

Twitter message:
Please pass @LymphedemaAct now! bipart/bicam 400+ cosponsors! Millions—mostly cancer survivors—need coverage gap fix @HHSGov

Together, we can pass the LTA!

Heather Ferguson
Founder & Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org

July 2, 2018: Progress Update on the LTA!

Last week was a big week for the Lymphedema Treatment Act!

Cosponsor Update:
We gained 7 House cosponsors in one week! They are: Coffman (R-CO-6), Hanabusa (D-HI-1), Sarbanes (D-MD-3), Rouzer (R-NC-7), Vela (D-TX-34), Curtis (R-UT-3), and Jenkins (R-WV-3). This brings our total to 356 House, 58 Senate, and 414 all together!

HHS Secretary Azar Meeting:
On Wednesday, June 27th, Rep Reichert met in person with HHS Sec Azar! While he has questioned each Secretary in writing since becoming our champion, this is the first time he’s ever had a private, face to face meeting with an HHS Secretary. Azar said he would take a serious look at the issue, which is wonderful, but does not mean we should let up one bit on our legislative push. It is unlikely that the Center for Medicare Services (CMS) will do an about face after all these years, however, Reichert is as determined as we are to get this done, so is leaving no stone unturned (Background on why CMS does not currently cover compression supplies can be found on our our website.)

Call with the Congressional Budget Office (CBO):
On Friday, June 29th, we had a call with the CBO. This was the first in what will likely be a series of communications as they begin to work on a cost estimate for the LTA. While there is strong evidence to support that a net savings will result through reduced complications, comorbidities, and disabilities, there is still an upfront cost to providing coverage for compression supplies. Estimating that expense is a process all bills with any associated cost must go through, and it’s important progress that the CBO has begun this process.

Please be persistent and continue to call your members of Congress who are not yet supporting the LTA, using the info below. Every call counts! Congress is in recess this week but staff is still in the office working. Thank you for your advocacy, and have a safe and happy July 4th holiday!

Heather Ferguson
Founder & Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org

June 25, 2018: ACTION ALERT: Contact HOUSE Leaders!

This week, we ask that you contact the following House leadership offices that serve on the two House Committees that have jurisdiction over our bill. A phone script, sample Tweet, and fax forms are below. Choose your method of contact or feel free to use them all!

Ways & Means Committee Chairman, Representative Kevin Brady:

phone 202-225-4901 — fax 202- 225-5524 — Twitter @RepKevinBrady

Ways & Means Health Subcommitte Chairman, Representative Peter Roskam:
phone 202-225-4561 — fax (none) — Twitter @PeterRoskam

Ways & Means Committee Ranking Member, Representative Richard Neal:
phone 202-225-5601 — fax 202-225-8112 — Twitter @RepRichardNeal

Ways & Means Health Subcommittee Ranking Member, Representative Sandy Levin:
phone 888-810-3880 — fax 202-226-1033 — Twitter @RepSandyLevin

Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman, Representative Greg Walden:

phone 202-225-6730 — fax 202-225-5774 — Twitter @RepGregWalden

Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee Chairman, Representative Michael Burgess:
phone 202-225-7772 — fax 202-225-2919 — Twitter @MichaelCBurgess

Energy & Commerce Committee Ranking Member, Representative Frank Pallone:
phone 202-225-4671 — fax 202-225-9665– Twitter @FrankPallone

Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee Ranking Member, Representative Gene Green:
phone 202-225-1688 — fax 202-225-9903 — Twitter @RepGeneGreen

Phone script:
“Please tell Representative [name] to pass the Lymphedema Treatment Act (HR930) this year. With over 400 cosponsors, this bipartisan and bicameral bill is one of the most widely supported health care bills in Congress. Millions of Americans with lymphedema – the majority of them cancer survivors – are counting on Representative [name] to modernize Medicare and close this coverage gap.”

Fax form (GoogleDocs):
Version 1 – download as a Word doc, complete then print.
Version 2 – print then complete by hand.

Twitter message:
Please pass @LymphedemaAct now! bipart/bicam 400+ cosponsors! Millions—mostly cancer survivors—need coverage gap fix @HHSGov

Together, we can pass the LTA!

Heather Ferguson
Founder & Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org

June 18, 2018: Attend a Local Meeting for the LTA!

You can increase support for the Lymphedema Treatment Act by meeting with your members of Congress at a nearby district office!

In-person meetings are the single most effective way to persuade your members of Congress to cosponsor the bill, and it’s easier than you think.

Everything you need to schedule, prepare for and execute a meeting with your Representative or Senators is on the District Meetings page of our website.

If they are already cosponsoring (check using the links below), urge them to help us pass the bill this year. If they are not supporting yet, ask them to cosponsor.

Another option is to attend a Town Hall Meeting or other public event. You can find listings for your members of Congress here.

Let us know if you have questions or need assistance. Thank you for your advocacy – it makes all the difference!

Heather Ferguson
Founder & Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org

June 11, 2018: Free Webinars & History of the LTA

Want to hone your advocacy skills? We have three, free recorded webinars available via the Advocacy Training page of our website.

Ever wonder what the history of the Lymphedema Treatment Act is? Here you can read a brief overview told from the perspective of my family.

I hope you will be inspired by how far we have come! Every day we get closer to closing the insurance coverage gap for compression supplies.

Together, we can pass the Lymphedema Treatment Act!

Heather Ferguson

Founder & Executive Director

Lymphedema Advocacy Group

LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org

June 4, 2018: Awareness & Educational Materials Available!

Spending time with friends and family this summer, and perhaps traveling to new places, presents a great opportunity to spread awareness and knowledge about lymphedema and the Lymphedema Treatment Act!

All of our educational materials are available for order, or free download, via the Increasing Awareness page of our website. You can make a difference where ever you go, just like our member Judy does, whose bus is pictured here.

The LTA currently has 347 House and 58 Senate cosponsors. Our next goal is to reach a super majority level of support in the Senate. If one or both of your Senators is not on board yet, use the script and phone number provided here to call his or her office, and ask them to cosponsor the LTA. If you called in the past please call again, and ask your friends and family to as well – the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Thank you for your ongoing support and Happy Summer!

Heather Ferguson
Founder & Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org

May 29, 2018: Share Your Lymphedema Story to Make a Difference!

Over the last few years we have collected over 500 patient and caregiver stories through our My Lymphedema Story campaign.

These stories are shared with members of Congress and their staff. They play a vital role in helping them to understand the challenges their constituents with lymphedema face and why we must pass the Lymphedema Treatment Act.

Please consider submitting your story if you haven’t already done so, especially if one or more of your members of Congress are have not cosponsored the LTA yet.

Tips on what to include are provided. Our stories are powerful and persuasive, and by sharing your story you’ll be making a difference!

Heather Ferguson
Founder & Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org

May 21, 2018: Maryland has a new Lymphedema Law!

Thanks to the great work of our Maryland advocates, while simultaneously working for passage of the LTA they have succeeded in passing a Maryland lymphedema treatment bill!

This state law requires that private insurance plans based in Maryland “provide coverage for the medically necessary diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of lymphedema, including equipment, supplies, complex decongestive therapy, gradient compression garments, and self-management training and education; etc.”

The full Maryland law, and those like it that exist in North Carolina and Virgina, can be accessed through the Background & History page of our website.

Myself and other members of our board are on the Hill this week. If you are on social media, please consider sending a message or tweet to your members of Congress. Sample text is on our Social Media page.

Your support makes our work possible. We hope you will also consider making a donation to our all-volunteer group. Donations can be made by mailing a check to The Lymphedema Advocacy Group, PO Box 1682, Carrboro, NC 27510, or online through our website.

Thank you for your advocacy and support!

Heather Ferguson
Founder & Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org

May 14, 2018: Another milestone – the LTA reaches 400+ cosponsors, 75% of Congress!

Thanks to the calls, emails and outreach of many, the LTA has reached the unbelievable milestone of 403 cosponsors! That’s an incredible 75% of Congress, but we can’t let up until the LTA is signed into law. Please keep reaching out to non-cosponsoring offices, and encouraging others to do the same!

Also, the LTA presentation we shared with you recently is now available as a narrated 4 minute video! This, along with the Power Point slides and PDF handout can all be accessed any time from the Increasing Awareness page of our website.

Keep up the great work, we are getting there!

Heather Ferguson
Founder & Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org

May 7, 2018: Meetings = Cosponsors!

In addition to our annual Lymphedema Lobby Days, where scores of advocates from around the country travel to DC to meet with over 200 offices, our board members make small trips to DC almost monthly. There are also individuals who have had district meetings with their members of Congress at local offices.

We kept record of all these meetings, and decided to total the number conducted thus far in this Congress, meaning in 2017 and 2018. The results surprised even us.

Our board and amazing advocates around the country have had 732 meetings during this Congress! We have 398 cosponsors, so that’s an average of slightly less than two meetings per supporting office.

The amount of contact an office needs before signing on varies. Some offices cosponsored so quickly when the bill was reintroduced that we never needed to meet with them at all. Others had four meetings before cosponsoring.

There are only 9 offices out of all 535 Congressional offices that we haven’t met with yet this Congress. We are aiming to see them during our board trip to DC later this month.

YOU CAN HELP TOO! If any of your members of Congress have not cosponsored yet, please consider scheduling a meeting at their district office.

Everything you need to schedule, plan for, and conduct your meeting can be found on the District Meetings page of our website. Let us know if you have questions or need help.

Thank you for your incredible advocacy and keep up the great work!

Heather Ferguson
Founder & Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org

March 30, 2018: New (free) Educational Resource for the LTA

A Power Point presentation covering all essential information about the LTA is now available here, and a PDF version of the slides available here.

Our information cards and other printable educational materials are always available for order or download on the Increasing Awareness page of our website.

And, it’s easy to encourage others to sign our letter to Congress by using this Tell-A-Friend form. You can send a link and personal note to up to ten friends all at once.

Thank you for your advocacy!

Heather Ferguson
Founder & Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org

April 23, 2018: Advocate in DC on Your Schedule!

Members of the Lymphedema Advocacy Group board travel to DC almost every month to meet with congressional offices and increase support for the Lymphedema Treatment Act. If you live in the DC area, or have travel plans to be nearby, please let us know if you’d be interested in joining us.

Or, if your availability does not coincide with one of our planned days on the Hill, we’d still be happy to help you schedule meetings with your members of Congress on whatever day works for you. Simply respond to this email, orcontact us any time at info@LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org.

If any of your members of Congress are not cosponsoring the LTA yet, then your presence in DC would be particularly valuable. Thank you for your advocacy!

Heather Ferguson
Founder & Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org

April 16, 2018: Easy Ways to Increase Awareness!

In the eleven years since my son Dylan was born with primary lymphedema I’ve seen awareness improve, but we still have a long ways to go. We hope you find these resources helpful in doing your part to raise awareness!

Share our educational materials. All of the items we produce can either be ordered or downloaded (for free) from our Increasing Awareness page.

Send a Letter to the Editor. The form on our website allows you to send a letter to both local and national publications, and includes suggested talking points.

Share our social media posts and tweets – Facebook / Twitter

Your support makes our work possible. We hope you will also consider making a donation, so that we can continue to educate the general public and lawmakers, and pass the Lymphedema Treatment Act! Donations can be made by mailing a check to the address below, or online through our website.

Thank you for your involvement and support!

Heather Ferguson
Founder & Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org

April 10, 2018: 389 out of 535 Members of Congress HAVE cosponsored the LTA, but these 146 HAVEN’T YET!

Congress returns to session today. The below list of Representatives and Senators need to hear from you again, because they still haven’t cosponsored the Lymphedema Treatment Act!

Want to strengthen your advocacy skills? We have three recorded webinars available on the Advocacy Training page of our website.

Phone numbers and a call script are below. Keep the pressure on!

Heather Ferguson
Founder & Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org

Call script:

“I am a constituent calling in support of the Lymphedema Treatment Act – Senate bill S. 497, and House bill H.R. 930. I would like for Senator/Representative [name] to cosponsor this bill, which already has the support of 389 members of Congress. This issue is important to me because…[2-3 brief sentences].”
Note that you will likely be asked for your name and address.

Members who have NOT cosponsored the Lymphedema Treatment Act yet:

AK-Senate Lisa Murkowski – R 202-224-6665
AL-02 Martha Roby – R 202-225-2901
AL-03 Mike Rogers – R 202-225-3261
AL-06 Gary Palmer – R 202-225-4921
AL-Senate Richard Shelby – R 202-224-5744
AR-03 Steve Womak – R 202-225-4301
AS-American Samoa Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen – R 202-225-8577
AZ-04 Paul A. Gosar – R 202-225-2315
AZ-05 Andy Biggs – R 202-225-2635
AZ-Senate John McCain – R 202-224-2235
AZ-Senate Jeff Flake – R 202- 224-4521
CA-04 Tom McClintock – R 202-225-2511
CA-10 Jeff Denham – R 202-225-4540
CA-12 Nancy Pelosi – D 202-225-4965
CA-23 Kevin McCarthy – R 202-225-2915
CA-25 Steve Knight – R 202-225-1956
CA-34 Jimmy Gomez – D 202-225-6235
CA-37 Karen Bass – D 202-225-7084
CA-39 Ed Royce – R 202-225-4111
CA-42 Ken Calvert – R 202-225-1986
CA-43 Maxine Waters – D 202-225-2201
CA-45 Mimi Walters – R 202-225-5611
CA-46 Luis Correa – D 202-225-2965
CA-48 Dana Rohrabacher – R 202-225-2415
CA-49 Darrell Issa – R 202-225-3906
CA-51 Juan Vargas – D 202-225-8045
CA-53 Susan Davis – D 202-225-2040
CM-Northern Mariana Islands Gergoria Sablan 202-225-2646
CO-03 Scott Tipton – R 202-225-4761
CO-04 Ken Buck – R 202-225-4676
CO-05 Doug Lamborn – R 202-225-4422
CO-06 Michael Coffman – R 202-225-7882
CO-Senate Cory Gardner – R 202-224-5941
CT-Senate Chris Murphy – D 202-224-4041
FL-Senate Marco Rubio – R 202- 224-3041
GA-09 Doug Collins – R 202-225-9893
GA-Senate David Perdue – R 202-224-3521
GA-Senate Johnny Isakson – R 202- 224-3643
GU-Guam Madeleine Bordallo – D 202-225-1188
HI-01 Colleen Hanabusa – D 202-225-2726
HI-02 Tulsi Gabbard – D 202-225-4906
HI-Senate Brian Schatz – D 202- 224-3934
HI-Senate Mazie Hirono – D 202-224-6361
ID-01 Raul R. Labrador – R 202-225-6611
ID-02 Mike Simpson – R 202-225-5531
ID-Senate Jim Risch – R 202- 224-2752
ID-Senate Mike Crapo – R 202- 224-6142
IL-14 Randy Hultgren – R 202-225-2976
IL-15 John Shimkus – R 202-225-5271
IL-Senate Dick Durbin – D 202-224-2152
IN-01 Peter J. Visclosky – D 202-225-2461
IN-03 Jim Banks – R 202-225-4436
IN-04 Todd Rokita – R 202-225-5037
IN-09 Trey Hollingsworth – R 202-225-5315
KS-Senate Pat Roberts – R 202- 224-4774
KY-02 Brett Guthrie – R 202-225-3501
KY-Senate Rand Paul – R 202-224-4343
KY-Senate Mitch McConnell – R 202-224-2541
LA-01 Steve Scalise – R 202-225-3015
LA-03 Clay Higgins – R 202-225-2031
LA-Senate Bill Cassidy – R 202-224-5824
LA-Senate John Kennedy – R 202-224-4623
MA-01 Richard Neal – D 202-225-5601
MD-01 Andy Harris – R 202-225-5311
MD-03 John P. Sarbanes – D 202-225-4016
MD-05 Steny Hoyer – D 202-225-4131
MD-07 Elijah E. Cummings – D 202-225-4741
ME-Senate Susan Collins – R 202-224-2523
MI-01 Jack Bergman – R 202-225-4735
MI-03 Justin Amash – R 202-225-3831
MI-06 Fred Upton – R 202-225-3761
MI-07 Tim Walberg – R 202-225-6276
MI-09 Sander Levin – D 202-225-4961
MI-10 Paul Mitchell – R 202-225-2106
MI-Senate Gary Peters – D 202-224-6221
MO-Senate Claire McCaskill – D 202-224-6154
MP-Northern Mariana Islands Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan – D 202-225-2646
NC-03 Walter Jones – R 202-225-3415
NC-05 Viginia Foxx – R 202-225-2071
NC-06 Mark Walker – R 202-225-3065
NC-07 David Rouzer – R 202-225-2731
NC-10 Patrick McHenry – R 202-225-2576
NC-13 Ted Budd – R 202-225-4531
NC-Senate Richard Burr – R 202- 224-3154
NE-02 Don Bacon – R 202-225-4155
NE-03 Adrian Smith – R 202-225-6435
NE-Senate Deb Fischer – R 202- 224-6551
NE-Senate Ben Sasse – R 202-224-4224
NH-Senate Margaret Wood Hassan – D 202-224-3324
NJ-06 Frank Pallone Jr. – D 202-225-4671
NV-Senate Dean Heller – R 202-224-6244
NV-Senate Catherine Cortez Masto – D 202-224-3542
NY-27 Chris Collins – R 202-225-5265
OH-01 Steve Chabot – R 202-225-2216
OH-04 Jim Jordan – R 202-225-2676
OH-07 Rob Gibbs – R 202-225-6265
OH-08 Warren Davidson – R 202-225-6205
OH-Senate Rob Portman – R 202-224-3353
OK-Senate James Lankford – R 202-224-5754
OR-02 Greg Walden – R 202-225-6730
OR-Senate Ron Wyden – D 202-224-5244
PA-04 Scott Perry – R 202-225-5836
PA-15 Charles Dent – R 202-225-6411
PA-Senate Pat Toomey- R 202-224-4254
SC-01 Mark Sanford – R 202-225-3176
SC-03 Jeff Duncan – R 202-225-5301
SC-04 Trey Gowdy – R 202-225-6030
SC-05 Ralph Norman-R 202-225-5501
SC-06 James E. Clyburn – D 202-225-3315
SC-Senate Tim Scott – R 202-224-6121
SC-Senate Lindsey Graham – R 202-224-5972
SD-Senate John Thune – R 202-224-2321
TN-03 Charles “Chuck” Fleischmann – R 202-225-3271
TN-08 David Kustoff – R 202-225-4714
TN-Senate Bob Corker – R 202-224-3344
TN-Senate Lamar Alexander – R 202-224-4944
TX-02 Ted Poe – R 202-225-6565
TX-06 Joe Barton – R 202-225-2002
TX-07 John Culberson – R 202-225-2571
TX-08 Kevin Brady – R 202-225-4901
TX-09 Al Green – D 202-225-7508
TX-10 Michael McCaul – R 202-225-2401
TX-11 Michael K. Conaway – R 202-225-3605
TX-14 Randy Weber – R 202-225-2831
TX-20 Joaquin Castro – D 202-225-3236
TX-22 Pete Olson – R 202-225-5951
TX-25 Roger Williams – R 202-225-9896
TX-26 Michael Burgess, MD – R 202-225-7772
TX-28 Henry Cuellar – D 202-225-1640
TX-29 Gene Green – D 202-225-1688
TX-31 John Carter – R 202-225-3864
TX-34 Filemon Vela – D 202-225-9901
TX-Senate Ted Cruz – R 202-224-5922
TX-Senate John Cornyn – R 202-224-2934
UT-01 Rob Bishop – R 202-225-0453
UT-03 John Curtis – R 202-225-7751
UT-04 Mia Love – R 202-225-3011
UT-Senate Mike Lee – R 202-224-5444
UT-Senate Orrin Hatch – R 202-224-5251
VA-02 Scott Taylor – R 202-225-4215
VA-04 Donald McEachin – D 202-225-6365
VA-06 Bob Goodlatte – R 202-225-5431
VA-08 Don Beyer – D 202-225-4376
VA-Senate Mark Warner – D 202-224-2023
VI-US Virgin Islands Stacey Plaskett – D 202-225-1790
WI-01 Paul Ryan – R 202-225-3031
WV-02 Alex Mooney – R 202-225-2711
WV-03 Evan Jenkins – R 202-225-3452
WV-Senate Joe Manchin – D 202-224-3954
WY- At Large Liz Cheney – R 202-225-2311
WY-Senate Mike Enzi – R 202-224-3424
WY-Senate John Barrasso – R 202-224-6441

April 7, 2018: Join our 1,000+ team members in all 50 states!

We have grassroots advocacy teams in all 50 states! If you haven’t joined your state’s team yet here are a few reasons why we hope you will consider it.

No prior advocacy experience is needed.
The time commitment is entirely up to you.
It won’t cost you a thing and you can do everything needed to increase support for the LTA right from home.
If your Representative and Senators are not yet cosponsors, you will receive additional support to get them signed on.
If your Representative and Senators are already cosponsors, you can assist others in reaching that goal.
The more people that get involved the sooner lymphedema patients willhave coverage for their vital compression supplies!

Additional information and a link to join your team can be found on the State Teams page of our website.

After joining you will be introduced to the other members of your team via email. If you have any questions please respond to this message.

As of today we have 333 House cosponsors and 55 Senate cosponsors. Join your team and help us get the Lymphedema Treatment Act passed this year!

Heather Ferguson
Founder & Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org

April 2, 2018: The Paths to Coverage for Compression Supplies

Prior to the introduction of the Lymphedema Treatment Act (LTA), patient advocates including myself and others attempted to obtain coverage for compression supplies by working with the Center for Medicare Services (CMS). CMS’s consistent response was that the supplies are not coverable due to the lack of a benefit category under which to place the items, and more specifically, that the Durable Medical Equipment (DME) benefit category has a three year longevity requirement, which compression supplies do not meet. Because CMS does not have the authority to add or redefine benefit categories, only Congress does, we started down the legislative path.

Since assuming sponsorship of the LTA, Congressman Reichert has asked every subsequent Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary if he or she could implement coverage without a legislative fix. Each has maintained that CMS could not. With the confirmation of Secretary Azar, Congressman Reichert asked yet again if a regulatory fix was possible. While there has been no official change of position on this issue, Secretary Azar and CMS authorities have expressed a new openness to discussing the matter.

Congressman Reichert will be retiring at the end of this term (December of 2018), and is 100% committed to accomplishing the goal of closing the compression coverage gap while still in office. On March 6th, during our Lymphedema Lobby Days in DC, we presented Congressman Reichert with an award to show our appreciation. An excerpt of his moving remarks that followed can be seen here.

As seen in the video, Congressman Reichert states that CMS’s new receptivity has been prompted by the tremendous amount of congressional support the Lymphedema Treatment Act has garnered. Ultimately,
Secretary Azar and CMS may continue to maintain that a legislative fix is the only way to implement coverage, but, in the chance that their position may have shifted, Congressman Reichert is pursuing all possible paths to coverage.

Therefore, while it is exciting that HHS/CMS is showing a new interest and receptiveness, it is more important than ever that we continue our efforts to gain cosponsors and urge leadership offices to advance the LTA. That support and momentum are key to us obtaining coverage, regardless of the path that gets us there, legislative or regulatory.

Please continue to help us gain cosponsors and contact leadership offices in support of the LTA – apply constant pressure, in your lymphedema treatment and your advocacy!

Heather Ferguson
Founder & Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org

March 26, 2018:Congress is in Recess – our Advocacy is Not!

For the next two weeks Congress is in recess, meaning that members will be at home in their states and districts. This is a perfect opportunity to meet with your members of Congress or their staff locally!

Check your members’ websites and social media accounts to find information about Town Halls and other public events, or go to the Town Hall Project. Better yet, contact your nearest district office and request a meeting. Everything you need to schedule, plan for, and conduct a local meeting is on our District Meetings page.

Here is a 2 minute video of one of our FL members addressing her Rep at a Town Hall. It’s a great example of what to do and he cosponsored the next day. Your advocacy makes a difference!

Senate Cosponsors / House Cosponsors

Heather Ferguson
Founder & Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org

March 19, 2018: ACTION NEEDED: Contact House Leaders!

This week, we ask that you contact the following House leadership offices that serve on the two House Committees that have jurisdiction over our bill. A phone script, sample Tweet, and fax forms are below. Choose your method of contact or feel free to use them all!