ALERT – PATIENTS’ BILL OF RIGHTS

Last Chance….ACT NOW!

We are one vote away from enacting a real patients’ bill of rights. In June, the Senate passed yet another sham bill – a "patients’ bill of rights" in name only.  If all Senators had been present, the vote would have been 51-49.   When the Norwood/Dingell bill comes back to the floor of the Senate this fall, we’ll need just one more vote in our favor.  In addition, the House leadership is attempting to craft a compromise bill.  We must ensure they don’t compromise our values.

August is the last time Members of Congress will be home before the end of this Congress.   It is the last chance they have to hear from their constituents directly.  It is an opportunity to change that one vote. 

It is time to pull out all the stops.  The next 30 days could determine the future of patient protections.  If Senators and Representatives hear from enough constituents, they will come back in September re-engaged in the issue and ready to pass real reform.

Over this recess your members should:

• Attend their Representative’s or Senators’ public events.  They should ask pointed questions about his/her support of the Norwood/Dingell bill, and encourage opposition to sham bills like the latest Nickles amendment.
• Request a meeting with the Representative/Senator in his/her district office.  Encourage them to bring a number of people to the meeting and have a personal story ready!
• Include the patients’ bill of rights in speeches they are making, or have them organize a events like a press conference or rally.
• Schedule meetings with editorial board writers and reporters to have the story of this bill told.
• Write letters to the editor of local papers
• Thank the Senators and Representatives who have remained steadfast in their support of real reform.  (especially the 19 House Republicans who stood with Dr. Norwood and Dr. Ganske and the four Republican.

While it is important to focus on all Members of Congress, we ask that you focus your attention on key Senators and Representatives.

Attached are talking points and a sample letter to the editor and opinion/editorial piece for you to use in engaging your memberships over this recess.

Pat Gorman, LCSW
Congressional Lobbyist
Professional Development and Advocacy
National Association of Social Workers
750 First Street, NE, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20002-4241
202/336-8336
Fax: 202/336-8311
E-mail: pgorman@naswdc.org