Draft Letters to Legislators

The Honorable _____________
Governor
Address
City, State, ZIP

RE: Proposed Rule ____________

Dear Governor _______________::

I am a ____________ resident with a disability. I am writing to you to ask that you instruct the (Insert appropriate agency, e.g. Social Services Administration, etc.) to withdraw Proposed Rule ___________, concerning the modification of Medicaid’s durable medical equipment (DME) program. I need and use a ________________ (insert appropriate products, e.g. specialized wheelchair and/or postural supports.) I am very concerned that this proposed rule would cut off my access to these needed products and services through the Medicaid Program.

The proposed rule, as it currently reads, would lower the reimbursement rates for suppliers of the kind of products that I require to a point that would probably force them to withdraw from the ___________ Medicaid Program. The only remaining suppliers would be mail order, box and ship operations who do not provide the service, nor have the expertise to meet my needs.

These proposed rules fail to account for the specialization of these products and the countless hours of consultation, custom fittings, and repairs that the local suppliers commit to each DME product delivered. When a seating and wheeled mobility product, like a customized wheelchair, does not fit correctly it can cause significant long-term damage to the individual using it. The minimal cost savings expected by the implementation of this proposed rule, would be far outweighed by the hospital bills and long-term care issues it would create for the disabled community.

Please give serious consideration to withdrawing this proposed rule and begin working with the provider community to develop a new rule that makes sense for the clients, the suppliers and ______________(appropriate agency). Thank you in advance for your time and assistance.

Sincerely,