SEGO Goes to Washington!

On July 16, 2003, 21 SEGO cancer survivors and staff members joined other patients and practices on Capitol Hill to lobby members of Congress about the cancer cuts contained in the Medicare Reform and Prescription Drug Act.

Our visit included an orientation and education session with the Community Oncology Alliance (COA) that organized the event and scheduled appointments with Senators and Representatives.  From there, we boarded buses and headed for the Capitol.  Our first appointment was with Senator Miller’s legislative aide.  She thoughtfully listened to our comments and assured us that Senator Miller planned to sign the “Dear Colleague” letter and is a supporter of the Quality Cancer Care Preservation Act (S. 1303, H.R. 1622).  We then joined with other Georgia delegates for a meeting with Senator Saxby Chambliss’ legislative aide and the Senator himself.  Several cancer survivors shared powerfully about their experience with cancer and the difference community cancer care makes in their daily cancer experience.  He also committed to signing the “Dear Colleague” letter.  Dr. Hines also personally invited the Senator to come to one of our chemotherapy suites to see first hand what is required for quality cancer care.

After lunch, our group split for meetings with Georgia representatives.  Members from our group visited with Representatives Majette, Scott, Lewis, Isakson, and Norwood.  Each congressperson seemed to listen attentively and agree with the importance of balanced Medicare reform.  Each offered suggestions for getting our message out to the members of Congress.

All in all, the trip was very informative—legislators learned about the cancer cuts contained in the Medicare bill and we learned firsthand the impact cancer patients can make on lawmakers.  Our large delegation made a visible impact.

Since our return, we have been strategizing about how best to influence the legislative process.  You can help by visiting the other pages in this part of the site and contacting your legislators.

More pictures from our trip will be posted on this site soon!

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