Eleven members of the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) have completed the first Amputee Action Network Training Course. Representing 11 states, the lead 11 for 2011 will use the training they received to pass and preserve insurance parity in their states, pass gubernatorial proclamations declaring April as Limb Loss Awareness Month and other issues on the ACA’s 2011 legislative agenda, according to a press release.
“These 11 people have shown themselves to be proven leaders in their respective states,” Kendra Calhoun, president and chief executive officer of the ACA, stated in the release. “They are active in our legislative efforts, support groups and in their communities. We are proud to present the first ‘graduates’ of the Amputee Action Network course.”
The course consisted of 5 weeks of conference calls. The lead advocates learned about passing a bill through the state legislature, activating grassroots support, the pros and cons of hiring a lobbyist, setting up advocacy funds, activating and using support groups and working with the media.
Two of the 11 states have already passed parity legislation. Lead advocates, Tami Stanley of Utah and Marifran Mattson of Indiana provided valuable input to the group. They shared their success stories in their efforts to pass parity through their legislatures.
The other lead advocates who completed the course are: Gloria Price of Wilmington, Del.; Bill Moses of Pembroke Pines, Fla.; Terry Ross of Paducah, Ky.; Aaron Holm of Shakopee, Minn.; Don Davis of Moore, S.C.; Robert Thurman of New Albany, Ohio; Jeff Dammerall of Bridgeton, Mo.; Shari Caradonna of Levittown, N.Y.; Robert Doty of Clarksville, Tenn.; Tami Stanley of Orem, Utah; and Marifran Mattson of Lafayette, Ind.
