AmeriFace - Sample Letters

Sample Letters

STEP 1 of 3

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STEP 2 of 3

Sample Letter to your SENATOR

S1045 - Children's Access to Reconstructive Evaluation & Surgery (CARES) Act of 2011

Modify the sections in BLUE to personalize this sample letter.

Your Name

Your Address

Your City, State, Zip

Your Phone

Date

(Senator __________)

Address (Senate Building)

Washington DC (Zip)

Dear (Senator __________):

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that each year in the United States, one in every 600 infants is born with a cleft lip and/or palate, making it the most common birth defect in our country. Others are born with more complicated and life-threatening craniofacial conditions; still more require treatment for conditions caused by trauma, burns and disease.

As your constituent, I urge you to cosponsor the Children's Access to Reconstructive Evaluation & Surgery (CARES) Act of 2011 (S1045), introduced by Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana. Under this legislation, health insurance and managed care companies will be forced to recognize that ongoing treatment and surgery required by cleft/craniofacial patients is not cosmetic or elective, but is medically-necessary and reconstructive in nature.

(My son/daughter or other relative) was born with (anomaly) (or acquired a facial difference) on (date).

There is an abundance of documentation from families who have battled their insurance companies for the medically-necessary treatment and surgery required to live a normal and productive life. While some have been successful, thousands have not. Care is often is delayed, and all too often, never approved. I encourage you to research and cosponsor S1045, legislation designed to protect these citizens from discrimination in health care.

(OPTIONAL: Add a BRIEF paragraph about your insurance denial(s) and why this legislation is important to you. DO NOT describe your journey at great length.)

(OPTIONAL: Add ONLY if applicable.) We are fortunate to live in (your state). Insurance companies and HMOs here have to approve treatment and surgery for patients with craniofacial abnormalities under (your state law); however, the coverage stops at age (note age from your state legislation, if applicable) and of course, self-insured plans are not subject to the mandate as they are protected under ERISA.

The need for this initiative is far greater than you may think. Please review the 7,400+ signatures and comments collected at www.thepetitionsite.com/1/craniofacial/, just one example of the support for this type of legislation.

Eliminating the age restriction outlined in S1045 would certainly strengthen the bill, as craniofacial anomalies do not disappear when patients reach the age of 22 years. Treatment and surgery can continue well into adulthood. However, if passed as written, S1045 will still make an incredible difference in the lives of thousands of children each year.

I look forward to hearing from you or your health care legislative aide, and to seeing your name on the list of co-sponsors of S1045 very soon.

Sincerely,

(Your Name)

STEP 3 of 3

Sample Letter to your CONGRESSMAN

HR1955 - Children's Access to Reconstructive Evaluation & Surgery (CARES) Act of 2011

Modify the sections in BLUE to personalize this sample letter.

Your Name

Your Address

Your City, State, Zip

Your Phone

Date

(Congressman __________)

Address (Senate Building)

Washington DC (Zip)

Dear (Congressman __________):

As your constituent, I urge you to cosponsor the Children's Access to Reconstructive Evaluation & Surgery (CARES) Act of 2011 (HR1955), introduced by Representative Patrick Tiberi of Ohio. Under this legislation, health insurance and managed care companies will be forced to recognize that ongoing treatment and surgery required by cleft/craniofacial patients is not cosmetic or elective, but is medically-necessary and reconstructive in nature.

(My son/daughter or other relative) was born with (anomaly) (or acquired a facial difference) on (date).

There is an abundance of documentation from families who have battled their insurance companies for the medically-necessary treatment and surgery required to live a normal and productive life. While some have been successful, thousands have not. Care is often is delayed, and all too often, never approved. I encourage you to research and cosponsor HR1955, legislation designed to protect these citizens from discrimination in health care.

(OPTIONAL: Add a BRIEF paragraph about your insurance denial(s) and why this legislation is important to you. DO NOT describe your journey at great length.)

Eliminating the age restriction outlined in HR1955 would certainly strengthen the bill, as craniofacial anomalies do not disappear when patients reach the age of 22 years. Treatment and surgery can continue well into adulthood. However, if passed as written, HR1955 will still make an incredible difference in the lives of thousands of children each year.

I look forward to hearing from you or your health care legislative aide, and to seeing your name on the list of co-sponsors of HR1955 very soon.

Sincerely,

(Your Name)