The Final Hurdle
As you all know, we are in the final stretch of our journey. Everyone has worked very hard toward a huge victory. If we can encourage hundreds of Virginians to follow through one last time, it could be the political incentive to break through the Medical Society of Virginia gate keepers who, in the past, have blocked our efforts. We CAN jump this hurdle! If you haven’t been able to contact everyone you can think of, this is the last chance you will have to make a difference. Please use this link to get your messages out:
Our motto on this legislation is:
On Monday, we will be in Richmond, working with a professional lobbyist for one last attempt to educate Delegates. Many Delegates are still not familiar with the differences between the two Bills and the benefits of the version we are fighting so hard to make into law. With about 23 Delegates committed to the Lyme patient version so far, we are almost half way to our goal of 51+.
We are sure there are many more we can convince, but we need to communicate with them! This is a difficult task for a weary few. We have spoken with 39 Delegates out of 100; that leaves 61 Delegates to cover in ONE day. 20 volunteers would make it possible to see them all. If you want to be help, please contact Karen Weber at 703-569-0714 or Monte Skall at 703-821-8822 and let us know. There will be cars going down early Monday morning to Richmond if someone needs a ride.
The House Hearing – Be There If You Can!
It is almost certain the House will consider the Senate’s amended version of HB1933 on Tuesday. We also are calling out to all of those who attended the first Senate committee hearing and the House sub-committee, and everyone else, to please plan to return to Richmond for one more time on Tuesday, Feb. 19th. For each previous hearing, close to 100 people turned out, and were noticed by our lawmakers. We need the same number in the gallery for the final House floor action on Tuesday.
As you know, last Thursday Delegate Comstock took her bill to the Senate where it was amended to reflect the language in the Senate bill. On Tuesday, she will take that bill to the House floor for a confirmation vote by the House of Delegates. We expect Delegates arguing for the Virginia Medical Society will try to block it, creating a floor debate, much like the one that occurred in the Senate, now viewable on the NatCapLyme website. Delegate Comstock needs our support to carry the day, as did Senator Black with the Senate bill. She will be up against the Medical Society of Virginia and Doctor/Delegates.
Come to Richmond
A gallery filled with Lyme patient supporters will give her the visible support she needs to help her in this fight and show other delegates how committed their constituents are to the Senate Amended Bill. OUR presence will back-up Delegate Comstock and could have the impact needed to encourage Delegates to vote YEA, because they are being watched and recorded by their constituents. If 51+ delegates vote YEA, the bill will go to the Governor for signature.
If you can come to Richmond this Tuesday, February 19th please let us know by emailing us at natcaplyme@natcaplyme.org, or responding to a survey that will follow this message. We will need to know how many seats we need to try to reserve by tomorrow night.
Of course, we are requesting that everyone wear something Lyme green.
AND Once again:
After sending your message you will be given an opportunity to invite others to send their message. So, get ready with an e-mail list of friends and family. It is very important to contact all Delegates from every district in Virginia.
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