As you may have heard, Congress has appointed a “Super Committee” to find ways to reduce government spending. Although an important task, we must ensure that federal cuts don’t harm critical programs for people with chronic diseases and disabilities.
This is why the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) has joined other leading patient organizations that are members of the National Health Council, to ask Members of Congress to protect essential health services from cuts by the Super Committee.
We are urging our grassroots and their family members to call Congress Wednesday, October 12, through Friday, October 14, and tell them not to let the Super Committee make cuts that would hurt patients! -- Once you've made your call email us to let us know at advocacy@aarda.org.
Call the toll-free phone numbers below between October 12 and October 14 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Your calls will be redirected to the appropriate offices.
- Call 1-866-414-6376 to reach your U.S. Representative. You will hear a pre-recorded message. Enter your zip code using the numbers on your touch-tone phone. You will be connected to your Congressperson’s office.
- Call 1-866-414-7494 to reach your U.S. Senators. Again, you will hear a pre-recorded message and will need to enter your zip code. You will then be asked whether you want your call to go to your state’s junior Senator or your senior Senator. After making your selection, your call will be directed to the appropriate office. You should make a phone call to each Senator’s office.
Here is a sample script you can use:
Hi, my name is ________. I’m a voter from __ (give your home town) __ as well as an advocate for the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA). May I please speak to the staff person who handles health care issues?
Today, the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) is joining with other patient advocacy groups that are members of the National Health Council to ask Members of Congress if they know how deep cuts in health spending will impact patients.
Reducing investment in research, may save money now, but this will lead to even higher costs in the future if my health and the health of other Americans decline as a result of the cuts. Protecting investments in health includes areas such as NIH research funding to support basic autoimmunity research initiatives.
I would like to discuss how cutting spending would impact me and my family. Share your personal story.
Please ask Representative/Senator ________________ to consider the impact that cutting health spending would have on me and the rest of the nation.
Thank you.
