ACTION ALERT: Contact your Federal Representatives to protect Medicaid and health coverage for people with disabilities! See News Item for details.

On the federal level, all New Yorkers are represented by both Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Senator Charles Schumer, as well as a member of the House of Representatives (determined by your address). Your elected officials like to hear from constituents by email or telephone.

When you call, do the following:

  • Ask for the staff person who handles health issues.
  • Introduce yourself and tell them that you are a constituent
  • Tell them that you are a member of the Brain Injury Association of New York State, the premier statewide brain injury advocacy organization
  • Briefly mention your relationship to brain injury (ie: that you have a brain injury; that a family member has a brain injury; you are a provider; you are a professional in the field etc.)
  • Your are calling because there are a number of issues of concern to the brain injury community that you would like to bring to the attention of your Senator/Representative.

Talking points:

  • No repeal of the ACA without simultaneous replacement:  If Congress votes to repeal the ACA, a replacement package that provides equivalent or improved access to affordable, quality health coverage must be included in the same legislation.
  • No cuts to Medicaid or restructuring of the Medicaid program:  People with disabilities rely on the Medicaid program. It is the primary public source of funding for long-term services and supports. Program cuts, along with block grant or per capita cap proposals, would hurt people who have no alternative means of paying for essential services.
  • Protect Medicaid Waiver Programs: Medicaid Waivers provide needed support services for people with brain injury. Encourage your representatives to protect community-based services under Medicaid Waivers.
  • Preserve Medicare for current and future seniors and people with disabilities: Medicare is a huge success story, with strong support from all Americans. Premium support and other restructuring proposals to shift more costs onto beneficiaries would make health care far less affordable and accessible to seniors and people with disabilities.
  • Ask the Senator/Representative to become a member of the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force.

Ending the Call

  • Be sure to thank them for their time and interest.
  • Send a follow-up thank you email or note.

Please share information about your efforts and any responses with BIANYS.

More information on the federal-level initiatives is available on the BIAA Advocacy & Government Affairs web page