Exercise Your Right to Vote

By Morgan Sheets

The Amputee Coalition of America's (ACA) national advocacy department has been working to advance legislation throughout the country to create a consistent standard for prosthetic benefits. We have helped pass a total of 11 laws and are currently working toward legislation in another 29 states.

The ACA is also pushing legislation in the U.S. Congress that would extend these same protections to the health plans regulated by the federal government. The Prosthetic Parity Act of 2008 (HR 5615) was introduced on March 13. We have also worked on issues related to Medicare coverage for prosthetic and orthotic care and regulations for assistive devices.

On November 4, we will elect the next president of the United States. Many states will also fill seats for Congress and their state legislatures, as well as for local officials, such as mayors and city council members. These individuals make decisions on a wide range of issues, from local highways to health insurance regulations. The lawmakers who make these decisions are put in office by people like you, who exercise their right to vote. That is why voting is not only your right, but also your obligation.

Each state has its own registration requirements, procedures, and deadlines. While several states are considering or utilizing same-day registration, most require you to register at least 15-30 days prior to the election, so get moving! Voting is your civic duty. It is also your chance to weigh in on who will make the decisions that affect your life and the lives of your patients. So get registered, get educated, and get out to the polls on November 4! web quick find: edpopo908

To find out about your state's voting requirements and deadlines, visit: www.declareyourself.com/voting_faq/state_by_state_info.html

Morgan Sheets is the national advocacy director for Ms Action Plan for People with Limb Loss (APPLL) initiative. She can be reached at . For more information, visit: www.amputee-coalition.org/advocacy/index.html

	Bipartisan Bill Introduced in U.S. Senate - October 2008 Progress on Parity
	Summer Fun...Parity Style - August 2008 Progress on Parity
	Putting Values into Action - July 2008 Progress on Parity
	Victories Fueling the Fight in Congress - May 2008 Progress on Parity
	Connecticut Amputees Rally for Prosthetic Coverage - April 2008 Progress on Parity
	Virginia Pulls Out All the Stops - March 2008 Progress on Parity
	New Jersey Becomes State No. 8 - February 2008 Progress on Parity
	Full Speed Ahead in the Fight for Parity - January 2008 Progress on Parity

Table Of Contents - September 2008

	New Applications of CAD/CAM Feature
	A Good CAD-CAM Education Is Hard to Find Feature - Exclusively Online
	The Brave New World of Information Technology: How IT is Transforming Practice Management Feature
	The O&P Alliance: An Update Feature
	Electronic Marketing Feature
	Custom Breast Prostheses: Expanding the Domain of O&P Perspective
	John Siciliano: Contender Today's Consumer
	Functional MRI: Unlocking the Mystery of Chronic Pain Innovations
	Athletes Triumph at National Veterans Wheelchair Games Sports
	Residency Reflections: Through a Black Box Residency Report
	Five Questions for Karen Burns, RTPO Face to Face
	Got FAQs? Got FAQs?
	Exercise Your Right to Vote Progress on Parity
	Transformational Events Viewpoint
	Velocity Introduces New Expulsion Valve EDGE Direct Sponsored Story - Exclusively Online
	Wound Care, Preventing Contractures EDGE Direct - Exclusively Online