By Kate Weldon LeBlanc
RESOLVE New England is actively involved in advocating for insurance legislation in New Hampshire, in partnership with patients, advocates, and providers. The bill, SB 279, would provide group insurance coverage for the diagnosis of infertility, fertility treatment and fertility preservation in New Hampshire. In April an amended version of SB 279 passed the Senate unanimously.
On May 21st, the House Commerce Committee voted 12-8 that an amended version of SB 279 “ought to pass”, and next will be headed to the full House. We need your advocacy now!
Our recommended first step in the advocacy process is for you to figure out who your own New Hampshire State Representatives are (if you don’t already). No shame if you don’t know their names as lots of people don’t. But now you will. I recommend the NH House website or Common Cause to find their names. The latter site is recommended for people who live in larger cities, and you will see “Find Your Representatives” halfway down their home page. As you may know, you will likely have more than one State Representative.
You can get the contact information for all your Representatives on the NH House webpage.
Please email or call each of your Representatives to let them know why you care about this issue and to ask them to vote in favor of SB 279. You can write to all of them in one email if you wish. Sample letter is below (which can also be used as phone script). Please BCC me on your emails (kwleblanc@allpathsfb.org).
Our friends and partners at Fertility Within Reach are with us every step of the way. They have great advice about communicating with legislators on their website!
We have a private Facebook group that we are using to share updates and stay connected. If you have not already, feel free to join this group and/or share with others that may be interested. You also can feel free to email me anytime with questions. Thank you!
Letter template
Dear Representative [Last Name],
(Paragraph 1 – why are you writing to them). SB 279, an Act Relative to Access to Fertility Care, has been approved by the House Commerce committee. Please vote in favor of this legislation when it comes before the full House of Representatives.
(Paragraph 2+ – briefly describe your story, with emphasis on financial implications to your family)
(Closing – including a thank you.)
Sincerely,
(Your Name)
(Your Home Address)
(Phone Number and/or email address)