(Click on pictures to enlarge.)
NHF Washington Days
March 5-7, 2008
Washington, DC
HNC Well Represented at NHF Washington Days
With one of the largest contingents in tow, Hemophilia of North Carolina attended NHF Washington Days from March 5-7. Nine people represented the state in Washington: Leonard Poe, Trista Tomaszewki-Willard, Angie Silva, Vickie Strange, Ed and Catherine Wilson, Matthew Compton, Matt Igelman and Sue Cowell.
The group had an opportunity to meet with representatives or their aides from districts throughout North Carolina, including the offices of Senators Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) and Richard Burr (R-NC). In total, we attended seven meetings during the day on the hill.
Topics discussed included lifetime caps, medigap coverage and additional funding for the Hemophilia Treatment Centers (HTCs). We were fortunate that a bill (S.2706 – Health Insurance Coverage Protection Act) was introduced by Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) the night before our visit that addresses lifetime caps. We asked all of our representatives to help support the bill and other legislation that is pending.
During the three days the NC contingent attended training workshops, legislative briefings and a State Advocacy Workshop where we were honored to be able to speak about iniatives in NC.
Our thanks to Leonard Poe, Vice President and Advocacy Chair of HNC, for coordinating a well represented contingent from the state, preparing information on the program and scheduling the group for our many meetings.
It is now time to move on to NC Legislative Day on June 10th and initiatives for our state. As a follow up to a productive trip to Washington, HNC will be setting up meetings between constituents and their representatives around NC. If you are interested in being a part of the growing group of active participants in the advocacy arena, please contact Leonard Poe at leonard.poe@hemophilia-nc.org or by phone at (828) 713-6246. You can make a difference!
Note: The above links to legislators and bills currently before Congress are to GovTrack, a nonpartisan blog with analysis of legislative issues.
