NHF Action Alert: Support New Bleeding Disorders Resolution in Congress

June 16, 2009

On Thursday, June 11, 2009, Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY, 4th District) introduced a concurrent resolution to the House of Representatives, supporting the bleeding disorders community in several important ways. The resolution, H.Con.Res.147, advocates:

• increased research funds for all bleeding disorders
• mproved access to treatment centers for all people with bleeding disorders
• greater physician and public education and awareness of bleeding disorders
• enhanced screening and diagnosis rates of undergraduate students and improved treatment of all bleeding disorders

To read the resolution go to THOMAS, the Library of Congress Web site that provides federal legislative information. Both the Hemophilia Federation of America and the National Hemophilia Foundation have voiced strong support for Representative McCarthy's efforts on behalf of the bleeding disorders community. Further, the resolution has both Democratic and Republican backers.

How you can help:

Contact your representative in the US House of Representatives by e-mail, phone or postal mail. To find your representative's name and contact information, go to the U.S. House "Write Your Representative" web page and enter your nine-digit zip code.

Then URGE YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TO CO-SPONSOR H.Con.Res.147, and ask for a response. A brief statement simply asking your member of Congress to support the bleeding disorders community by signing onto H.Con.Res.147 will work well.

Remember: just a couple dozen constituents can shape a representative's decisions, so URGE YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO CALL IN NOW!

Chapter Leaders — please distribute this information to your community as you see fit — via e-mail, newsletter, etc.

Thank you,