Sample Letters to US Legislators
A template for 1. pro-health care reform Senators, 2. anti-health care reform Senators, and 3. Representatives are all included below. The current priority is letters to Senators.
- Please modify these letter templates per these instructions.
- FAX your letter to Washington, DC Offices
1. Sample letter for Senators who support health care reform
[Date]
The Honorable [Full Name]
[Street Address]
[City], [State] [Zip]
Dear Senator [Last Name]:
As your constituent and as a citizen concerned about maternity care in the U.S., I ask that you support Medicaid coverage of Certified Professional Midwives as an amendment to the Senate health reform bill, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
I understand that one of the goals of health care reform is to address the high costs and statistically unsatisfactory outcomes of maternity care in the U.S. Certified Professional Midwives provide safe, health-promoting, high quality care with outstanding outcomes for mothers and babies, at much lower costs than hospital-based care providers. Childbirth is the second most common reason for hospitalization, and care for mothers and babies combined ranks 4th in hospital expenses. More than 40% of births are paid for by Medicaid (i.e., by taxpayers). Adding Certified Professional Midwives to the list of Medicaid providers means adding a lower cost choice of care-provider to women whose maternity care is already going to be covered by Medicaid. Certified Professional Midwives should be part of the solution.
[Insert a brief personal story or detail if possible and relevant, for example: “Two of my children were born at home attended by Certified Professional Midwives. I believe all women regardless of their income should have access to the safe, high-quality, cost-effective care provided by Certified Professional Midwives.”]
Please make sure that the Senate health reform bill, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act includes an amendment that adds Certified Professional Midwives to the list of Medicaid-eligible providers recognized at the federal level.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Address]
[Phone number]
2. Sample letter for Senators who do not support health care reform
[Date]
The Honorable [Full Name]
[Street Address]
[City], [State] [Zip]
Dear Senator [Last Name]:
As your constituent and as a citizen concerned about maternity care in the U.S., I ask that you support Medicaid coverage of Certified Professional Midwives as an amendment to the Senate health reform bill, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Regardless of your opinions about Health Care Reform, please make sure this provision is included in whatever bill may be passed, since it would save money and help improve maternity care. A goal of health care reform is to address the high costs and statistically unsatisfactory outcomes of maternity care in the U.S. Certified Professional Midwives provide safe, health-promoting, high quality care with outstanding outcomes for mothers and babies, at much lower costs than hospital-based care providers. Childbirth is the second most common reason for hospitalization, and care for mothers and babies combined ranks 4th in hospital expenses. More than 40% of births are paid for by Medicaid (i.e., by taxpayers). Adding Certified Professional Midwives to the list of Medicaid providers means adding a lower cost choice of care-provider to women whose maternity care is already going to be covered by Medicaid. Certified Professional Midwives should be part of the solution.
[Insert a brief personal story or detail if possible and relevant, for example: “Two of my children were born at home attended by Certified Professional Midwives. I believe all women regardless of their income should have access to the safe, high-quality, cost-effective care provided by Certified Professional Midwives.”]
Please make sure that the Senate health reform bill, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act includes an amendment that adds Certified Professional Midwives to the list of Medicaid-eligible providers recognized at the federal level.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Address]
[Phone number]
3. Letter for members of the House of Representatives
[Date]
The Honorable [Full Name]
[Street Address]
[City], [State] [Zip]
Dear [Representative Last Name]:
I know that Congress is now considering comprehensive health reform legislation. I urge you to ensure that the maternity care needs of millions of women and their families are addressed by your support for adding Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs)—who are licensed by their states—to the list of Medicaid-eligible providers recognized at the federal level. Health care reform must address the problems and high costs of maternity care in the U.S and ensure safe, qualified maternity care providers for all pregnant women.
I am a constituent and I ask that [insert the name of your Representative] support efforts to improve the maternity care system by adding Certified Professional Midwives to the list of providers covered by Medicaid.
[Insert a brief personal story or detail if possible and relevant, for example: “Two of my children were born at home attended by Certified Professional Midwives. I believe all women regardless of their income should have access to the safe, high-quality, cost-effective care provided by Certified Professional Midwives.”]
Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Address]
[Phone number]
