Postdate: September 22, 2009

Dear NEA Community Member,

As the health care reform debate has intensified in recent months, conflicting information about the various bills before Congress has been presented in the national media. In addition, information has been changing at a very rapid pace. At times, it has become difficult to determine what is true and current.

The National Health Council (NHC) will be hosting a webinar on October 13 at 3:00 p.m. EST to dispel common misconceptions and offer an up-to-the-minute explanation of how proposed health reform legislation will affect people with chronic conditions and their family caregivers. The NHC will also detail its efforts to ensure that patients remain a top priority of decision makers during the health reform debate.

If you are interested in learning more about health reform and its potential effect on people with chronic conditions, please register at www.puttingpatientsfirst.net/webinar. The registration form will also allow you to ask one question that you would like answered during the webinar.

The deadline for registering for this event is Monday, October 5.

Postdate: September 21, 2009

Speak out now to secure the highest funding level possible for the National Institutes of Health in FY 2010. Congress is working to finalize appropriations as the beginning of fiscal year approaches.

The House of Representatives approved $31.3 billion for NIH, a 3.1% increase, while the Senate Appropriations Committee has recommended $30.8 billion. Make your voice heard as Congress negotiates the final appropriations, and urge your delegation to support the higher House-passed level for NIH.

Americans support more funding for research as seen in our newest advocacy tool, America Speaks; Poll Data Summary, Volume 10. Use this wealth of public opinion data to take action for FY 2010 funding now and to write letters to the editor, op-eds or articles, give speeches and advocate for research to improve health throughout the year.

Postdate: August 6, 2009

Visit Congressional Offices in August

The August district work period is an ideal time to stop-by your representative's and senators' offices to let them know that you want them to share their views on health and research on www.yourcongressyourhealth.org.

Please download and print a Your Congress-Your Health flyer. Choose from one of three flyers that each highlight a different topic.

• Research for Health (PDF)
• Health Reform (PDF)
• Economic Competitiveness (PDF)

Complete your personal information and message and then drop-off a copy at the district office of each of your congressional members. Find contact information for your representative and senators.

As an alternative, you can print a flyer and fax it to your members or you can send them an e-mail. Take action and visit your local congressional offices today!

Postdate: July 24, 2009

The lack of effective and efficient health care is one of the most important issues facing our nation. Nearly 50 million Americans have no coverage. Many more have coverage that does not meet their basic health and long-term care needs. The problem is especially acute for Americans with chronic diseases or disabilities.

We need your help now to make meaningful health care reform a reality.

We urge you and your family and friends to call Congress on Wednesday, July 29, and tell our elected officials that we want health care reform legislation passed this year.

The National Health Council will have two toll-free phone lines set up – one for calling the House of Representatives and the other for calling the Senate. To learn how you can participate, click here. If you have any questions, please contact Emily Noonan at .

Through our collective effort we can ensure the voices of millions of Americans will be heard! Call your elected officials Wednesday, July 29.

Sincerely,
Myrl Weinberg, CAE
President

Postdate: June 30, 2009

Urge your members of Congress to support robust funding for NIH, CDC, AHRQ and NSF in FY 2010. This Independence Day recess offers an ideal opportunity to speak with your representative and senators and let them know that investing in research is critical to the health of Americans and the economy.

Meet with, call or write to your delegation in support of a funding increase of at least 10% for NIH in FY 2010 with the goal of reaching an annual appropriation of $40 billion as soon as possible. Other essential investments for research to improve health are increasing CDC's core program budget by $2 billion, establishing a base funding level of $405 million for AHRQ and increasing the NSF budget by 8.5% to $7 billion.

Time is of the essence because the House of Representatives will begin consideration of the appropriations bill for NIH, CDC and AHRQ on July 8. Take action now!

Postdate: April 8, 2009

By signing the Petition for Change, you'll join the nation's leading patient advocacy groups in calling for meaningful health care reform. Our goal is to collect 1 Million signatures in 2009 to demonstrate to elected officials that the public believes we need a health care system that will Put Patients First. Sign today and encourage your friends and family members to join this drive for effective and affordable health care NOW!

Follow this link to the petition: www.puttingpatientsfirst.net/petition/.

The National Health Council also encourages people to communicate their suggestions for health care reform with elected officials or share their personal health stories so elected officials will understand that health care reform must meet the needs of individual patients. As we all know, the potential for meaningful reform is greater now than ever before and our action is urgently needed. We are very excited about what we can achieve together to ensure health care reform is truly patient focused.