ACA Conference Kicks off a Summer of Parity Events
By Morgan Sheets  Many state legislatures are wrapping up for the
year, but several state bills are still on the move. Activists have
been fighting hard to push Pennsylvania's House
Bill 317. We are shooting for a floor vote in the House before it
adjourns for the summer recess.
The Oregon campaign committee negotiated with
insurance industry representatives in order to keep House Bill 2517
alive. The bill passed the House in late April with a unanimous
vote. The Oregon campaign committee continues to push to get it
through the Senate, onto the floor, and to the governor's desk
before the session adjourns in early July.
Several other states continue to advance legislation, and two
state legislatures are looking to the second half of their session
to introduce prosthetic parity bills. Rep. Lisa Wojno
(D-Warren/Center Line) has committed to advancing parity in the
Michigan legislature, and the Illinois Society of
Orthotists & Prosthetists is working with the ACA to introduce
a parity bill in the fall.
The ACA's National Advocacy Team is also making plans for a
diverse range of activities at the ACA's
Annual Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, June 15-17.
The day before the conference, we are providing intensive
training for activists who would like to hone their skills in
working with the media. We are holding an organizing meeting to
help local activists lay the groundwork for a
Georgia parity bill in 2008.
We will be conducting a workshop on Saturday afternoon, June 16,
to update people on the progress of the campaign, share new
resources and strategies, and help people become more effective
activists when they return to their home states.
We are also offering individual consultations to any activists
who would like to schedule time to speak with a member of the
advocacy team about building or enhancing a campaign in their
state.
This year's awards ceremony will include commendation for the
Advocate of the Year, in recognition of an individual who has gone
above and beyond in helping to advance parity legislation.
We welcome the opportunity to build our efforts not only through
the national conference, but also through our summer outreach
activities and a series of organizing meetings in new states
including Maryland and
Washington.
Morgan Sheets is the national advocacy director for ACA's
Action Plan for People with Limb Loss (APPLL) initiative. She can
be reached at APPLL@amputee-coalition.org. For
more information, visit www.amputee-coalition.org/advocacy/index.html 
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