Please note: This is a sample letter. Letters to our legislators are far more effective if we do not use form letters. Therefore, please rewrite this letter in your own words.
___________
Date
Your full name
Street Address
City, ST, Zip
The Honorable (full name)
United States House of Representatives
Washington DC 20515
Dear Representative (last name):
I am writing to ask that you lend your
support to H. R. 1863, the National Pain Care Policy Act of 2003, by
becoming a cosponsor of this important legislation.
Pain care is a significant public health issue that is not formally
addressed by our health care system. While Medicare and Medicaid treat
pain related to an acute episode or to hospitalization, chronic pain is
not covered by public or private health care insurance in general.
A 1999 study entitled Chronic Pain in America found that only 1 in 4 of
those with pain received adequate treatment. Yet untreated or
under-treated pain places high costs our national economy. Pain affects
over 75 million individuals every year, 50 million of those suffering from
chronic pain. The recent (2002) American Productivity Audit estimates that
pain costs our economy over $78 billion is lost productive work time,
accounting for approximately 80 percent of lost time within the work
environment.
(Add here a story about yourself or someone you know who has experienced
pain that has not been appropriately diagnosed and treated, or cite an
example of how far someone in your congressional district would have to
travel to receive adequate pain care.)
The Pain Care Policy Act of 2003 provides important federal recognition of
pain as a priority public health problem in the United States, and
authorizes additional federal resources for pain care research,
professional education, public awareness and professional training. In
addition, it has provisions to improve access to appropriate diagnosis and
treatment for pain in federally financed health care facilities and
federally financed managed care programs.
Please consider becoming a cosponsor of H.R. 1863. If you or your staff
needs additional information, please contact Representative Rogers' health
staff at (202) 225-4872.
Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
(your signature here)
________________
Note: When you send your letter, please send me a copy at the address below.
Teri Robert
P.O. Box 2326
Parkersburg, WV 26102-2326
Thanks!
