Letter Writing Campaign to U.S. Healthcare

Letters are being collected to encourage U.S. Healthcare to pay for the cost of supplemental newborn screening tests.  These tests cost approximately $25 per test.  Most insurance companies do not currently cover the costs of these tests.

Fewer than 10% of the nation's babies get this screening.  This low screening rate is not only because many doctors and parents don't know the test exists, but because hospitals and insurance companies don't want to pay for it.  It is for this reason the letter writing campaign was developed.

Mary Smith (biotinidase deficiency parent) from the Organic Acidemia Association and Wendy Nawn (MCADD parent) of the Save Babies Through Screening Foundation are collecting letters which they plan to personally hand deliver to U.S. Healthcare's doorstep.   It is hoped that these boxfuls of letters showing consumer demand for the screening will convince U.S. Healthcare to cover the cost of the screening, and, in turn, other insurance companies will follow.  Once insurance covers the screening, hospitals will do the screening on ALL babies at birth, thus saving more children from brain damage and death.

Letters are currently being collected and everyone is encouraged to send a letter as soon as possible.  Also, please persuade everyone you can to contribute letters, as well.  Don't forget to get letters from your spouse, your children, your family, your friends, your neighbors, your co-workers, your school, your church, etc.  Anyone pressed for time can simply cut and paste from the sample letter provided below.

_{Please mail letters to:}

Save Babies Through Screening Foundation
4 Manor View Circle
Malvern, PA 19355

Your participation is very much appreciated.  If you have any questions about the letter writing campaign, please contact Wendy Nawn.


Sample Letter
If you are pressed for time, you can copy and paste the letter at the bottom of this email, and mail to the addresses above.  But, feel free to write a letter on your own.  This sample letter is provided only for those with little time, yet who still want to participate.  

Dear U.S. Healthcare:

I like babies, and I think they deserve a fair start.  Since there is something called "comprehensive newborn screening with tandem mass spectrometry" that detects 35 metabolic disorders at birth, and costs only $25, it seems to me it is well worth it.  It saves children from needless brain damage and death!  Please cover the cost immediately!

Sincerely, 

Your Name
Address

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