Help us fight insurance limitations on medications!

WE elect our Senators and Members of the House.
Now, let's make our voices heard!

For the Senate directory, click HERE.

For the directory of individual web sites of House members, with their contact info, click HERE.
If you're not sure who your Representatives are, click HERE.

• Migraines are NOT "headaches." Migraine is a neurological disease. According to MAGNUM, the current Migraine population, based on U.S. Census Bureau statistics is 32.5 million.
• The triptans are a class of medications that actually act in the brain to stop a Migraine episode rather than just masking the pain.
• Triptans are Migraine abortive agents. They are neither pain medications nor narcotics. Therefore, they are not addictive or habit forming. When prescribed and used according to their Federal Legend (approved labeling and package insert), triptans are among the safest medications that can be taken for Migraine.
• Many insurance companies and managed care organizations do not advise their subscribers in advance of false limitations levied on coverage of triptans.
• According to MAGNUM, falsely limiting medications prescribed as part of a Migraine treatment protocol can ironically put the patient in the position of needing emergency room care. The sad fact is that most Migraine patients would prefer never to go to an emergency room unless absolutely necessary because of the continued abusive attitudes we frequently encounter. Ironically this method of aborting a Migraine can cost sever thousand dollars. A word to the managed care providers of the United States -- if your intent is economic, by falsely limiting medication prescribed by attending physicians, it will end up costing 10, 20, 30 times whatever you think you may be saving, not to mention possibly putting a patient's life at risk or requiring multiple days in the hospital due to Migraine  induced problems.

If you are emailing your Senators and Congressmen please refer them to our articles on this issue by including these URLs:

• http://headaches.about.com/library/weekly/aa-bc-trip-limits-a.htm
• http://headaches.about.com/library/weekly/aa-bc-noreply-a.htm

If you are contacting them via postal mail, please print copies of the articles and include them with your letters. These articles fully outline a case that will demonstrate the problem that needs addressed. Our friends in Washington inform me that the use of "snail mail" may result in long delivery delays due to aggressive screening methods due to the war on terror. Hint, hint: email, then follow up with postal mail. This is the most effective method of making ourselves heard. The email provides the information and your concern, the "snail mail" will reinforce it.

• If you contact your representatives by email, send me a copy at headaches.guide@about.com.
• If you contact them via postal mail, please send me copies at MAGNUM's Washington headquarters:
  MAGNUM
  ATTN: Teri Robert
  113 South Saint Asaph Street, Suite 300
  Alexandria, VA 22314

Please, take this opportunity to make our voices heard. We CAN make a difference. I still believe in government "of the people, by the people, and for the people." Won't you join me in reminding those who have forgotten this founding principle of our country that it's still true?