Children's Access to Reconstructive Evaluation & Surgery (CARES) Act of 2007 (HR1655) - Sample Letter to Representative

Modify the sections in BOLD to personalize this sample letter.

Your Name
Your Address
Your City, State, Zip
Your Phone

Date

(Representative __________)
Address (House Building)
Washington DC (Zip)

Dear (Representative):

As your constituent, I am writing to urge you to cosponsor the Children's Access to Reconstructive Evaluation & Surgery (CARES) Act of 2007 (HR1655), introduced by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy of New York. Under this legislation, health insurance and managed care companies will be forced to recognize that ongoing medical procedures needed by cleft/craniofacial patients like (me or family member) are not cosmetic, but are reconstructive in nature.

I (or My son/daughter) was born with (anomaly) on (birthdate). (Add a short paragraph about your journey so far and why this legislation is important to you.)

There has been much documentation of families and individuals having to fight to receive the medically-necessary treatment and reconstructive surgery needed to live a normal life.

(If applicable, add) I am glad that I 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.

One change that would make HR1655 even better would be to amend the bill to lift the age restriction. Treatment and surgery can go on well into adulthood. A craniofacial anomaly does not disappear when a person turns 22 years of age. However, if passed as written, HR1655 will still make a huge difference in so many lives.

I encourage you to research and cosponsor HR1655. This legislation is designed to protect citizens from discrimination in health care. The need for this initiative is far greater than you may think.

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 HR1655.

Sincerely,

(Your Name)