The Amputee Coalition of America is working to introduce federal legislation to protect access to prosthetic care and needs your help...

Eight states have passed prosthetic parity legislation. There are currently 30 states advancing prosthetic coverage bills, including New York. ACA working with a strong campaign committee to advance legislation at the state level. You can find more information about the New York campaign HERE...

The ACA is pursuing a number of New York lawmakers to be original co-sponsors of the prosthetic parity bill. New York will play an important role in the federal effort. Rep. Towns, Rep. Engel, Rep. Weiner and Rep. Fossella are all on the House Energy & Commerce Committee. Towns, Engel and Weiner are also on the Health subcommittee. Rep. McCarthy, Rep. Bishop, Rep. Clarke and Rep. Kuhl are all on the House Education & Labor Committee. McCarthy and Clarke are also on the HELP subcommittee. Senator Clinton is on the Senate HELP committee. While she is busy running for president, she will still be an important part of this debate.

Targeted representatives include:

• Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-NY)
• Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY)
• Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY)
• Rep. Vito Fossella (R-NY)
• Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY)
• Rep. Timothy Bishop (D-NY)
• Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY)
• Rep. Randy Kuhl (R-NY)
• Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY)

You can contact your representative through the U.S. House of Representatives Website or by calling the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202)224-3121 and asking for your representative's office.

TAKE ACTION! Send an e-mail, mail a letter or make a phone call today.

Sample E-mail/Letter:

Dear Senator Clinton or Representative [Insert name],

I am writing to urge you to co-sponsor the federal prosthetic parity bill. This bill will ensure that prostheses are treated the same as other basic, essential care.

Numerous studies have been done that demonstrate that prosthetic parity is not only low cost to individuals under private and group insurance plans, but it also results in a savings to the private and public sector.

Unlike many bills to expand or protect health care coverage, this legislation will not result in an increase in utilization. This bill is specifically designed to ensure access to prosthetic devices for people with limb loss and limb deficiency.

Prosthetic parity bills have been launched all over the country. Currently, eights states have passed parity laws. Another thirty states, are working to advance legislation. It is time for Congress to take a stand on this important issue.

This is an opportunity to ensure that people with limb loss are given the care they need to fully participate in society! We are working with Foley & Lardner, LLC as well as several members including Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL) and Rep. Rob Andrews (D-NJ). I hope that you will sign on as a co-sponsor of the parity legislation.

Sincerely,

[NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE]

To go one step further, you can also make a call to their offices and leave a message urging them to sponsor the bill. You will be leaving a message with a staff person. They will ask for your name and hometown.

Sample Phone Message:

I am calling to urge Senator Clinton or Representative [Insert name] to sponsor the federal prosthetic parity bill. I am a member of the Amputee Coalition of America, the organization working to advance prosthetic parity. I think this is an important piece of legislation.