Advocacy Day UPDATE on Co-Sponsors! – 5/17/10
Thanks to all of the amazing Advocacy Day volunteers who spoke with legislators and then followed up with emails requesting sponsorship of HR 2002 and S 701 … *drum roll* … SIX new co-sponsors have signed on to S 701/ HR 2002 since Advocacy Day!
Here is a list of the sponsors who have signed on since Advocacy Day and the dates they became official sponsors.
HR 2002 S 701
Rep Green, Gene [TX-29] – 5/4/2010 Sen Cardin, Benjamin L. [MD] – 5/13/2010
Rep Upton, Fred [MI-6] – 5/4/2010
Rep Melancon, Charlie [LA-3] – 5/4/2010
Rep Moran, Jerry [KS-1] – 5/12/2010
Rep Schauer, Mark H. [MI-7] – 5/4/2010
We have also received word that Congressman Chris Van Hollen has agreed to be an original co-sponsor on Congresswoman Matsui’s bill! This is wonderful news as Congressman Van Hollen is the Assistant to the Speaker and one of the highest ranking members of the House. What a wonderful ally for IDF in the fight for access to IVIG treatment!
Orginal Post:
IDF Advocacy Day is here. IDF Volunteers are spreading the word to their Senators and Representatives that Medicare beneficiaries with primary immunodeficiency diseases need access to IVIG therapy – especially in the home. We need Congress to fix the Medicare IVIG access problem and to ask for studies of reimbursement issues that adversely affect access to care for IVIG.
Leave your comment and read about others’ experiences. It is an exciting day on Capitol Hill! Please send your photos to idf@primaryimmune.org, and we will post them here:
For all of you out there that are heading to DC, remember that we have a story to share and that those we come in contact need to hear it. I’m coming with the attitude as if this is my first visit. I need to be excited about our opportunities we are being given to educate and make people aware of who we are and what our needs are. Can’t wait to see you guys. Those that are home, please know you have a voice too. We represent each and every one of you and I count it a privilege. Thank you. Jenny Gardner
We are so excited to greet our volunteers from around the country who will be spreading the IDF message on Capitol Hill!
Rep. Matsui just accepted the IDF Distinguished Public Policy Award at the 2010 IDF Advocacy Day Training Dinner.
This will be my first time visiting capitol Hill. I’m so excited to be a part of the IDF team. There is both healing and strength in community and I am very pleased to have opportunity speak out about the unique needs of our PIDD community and also to get a chance to meet so many of my IDF friends in person. See you all in DC!
What an inspiring dinner! Great presentations by everyone. I think we are ready to go for tomorrow!
David and Gillian Hanus just finished a hallway “walk and talk” with Nebraska Representative, Lee Terry, who agreed to be an original co-sponsor for Representative Matsui’s Home Infusion bill. Hurray!!
Tommie Cassen and Ginnie Job just had a successful meeting with Senator Sam Brownback and his Health Legislative Assistant Mike Anway. Sen. Brownback is a co-sponsor of S.701 and said that he would speak with Sen. Grassley as well as Sen. Roberts about moving the bill forward in the Committee for Finance. What a great way to start our day!!
good news after meeting with staffer for Congr. Braly (Iowa) — received positive commitment to be co-sponsor on the legislation; also, positive reaction from staffer for Congr. Nunes (Calif.) who did not immediately commit to become a co-sponsor and requested input from constituents in his district.
The IDF volunteers from Michigan just secured a co-sponsorship on our bill from Representative Schauer! This is such an amazing experience and we’re honored to be able to advocate for people living with primary immunodeficiencies.
The Illinois delegation just secured co-sponsorship for the Matsui and Israel/Brady bills from Congressman Danny Davis!!!! He listened kindly and signed on right away. Harrison and I, along with Zina and Randy Berryhill are the delegation, together with our wonderful escort, Meredith Zerbe.
Congratulations, Becky, and the other IDF members! I’m so proud of you!
First, It was so nice to meet so many IDF staff and volunteers who I often speak with but have never seen in person before! On Thursday we had 5 congressional meetings. One ended up not being available, but the others really did take time out with us to hear our stories and learn why access to IVIG and home infusion is so important and also to learn about PIDD and IDF’s think Zebra campaign. I will have one follow up meeting here on Staten Island to schedule, and 2 others that have questions for us to answer. I also squeezed in a quick reel story for IDF- hopefully it came out OK! On Sunday we will talk about Advocacy day on PIDD radio if anyone wants to call in 9:30 ET 347-934-0024
Will Capitol Hill ever recover from all the IDF zebras yesterday? Thank you all who participated for your incredible passion and efforts! Already, we have several new cosponsors, and we’ve educated many others. There will be much more to do, but for now, enjoy a job well done!
What a great day on capital Hill! Olivia has such a great time telling Senator Wyden all about our friends that need help. (She was talking for our friend Dana from Maine….you would have been so proud of her Dana!!!) Can’t wait to go again! It was empowering!
Congressmen Upton and Schauer from Michigan both signed on to HR 2002 May 4, 2009!!!!!
Congratulations, Becky, and the other IDF members! I’m so proud of you!
David and Gillian Hanus just finished a hallway “walk and talk” with Nebraska Representative, Lee Terry, who agreed to be an original co-sponsor for Representative Matsui’s Home Infusion bill. Hurray!!