Advocacy Day 2011, Massachusetts delegation. Photo by Keiko Zoll.
What is Advocacy Day?
Advocacy Day is a unique opportunity for men and women from all over the country to converge on our nation’s capitol to speak with their legislators and elected officials about issues important to the infertility community. RESOLVE even provides training that morning on how to speak to your representatives and sets all of your appointments for you in advance. Advocacy Day has been described as powerful, moving, inspiring and empowering by past attendees.
What Are the Issues?
The two key issues this year are to promote that infertility is a disease and to advocate for The Family Act. The Family Act is a tax credit bill in both the House and Senate that seeks to provide financial relief for millions of Americans who have paid out-of-pocket for IVF. The Family Act has been modeled after the very successful and popular Adoption Tax Credit. More information about The Family Act can be found here at RESOLVE’s website.
Why Should I Go?
Participation from New Englanders is vital. It’s now or never for The Family Act; if it doesn’t pass this legislative session, it could be years before we ever see another piece of legislation like this to benefit the infertility community. The entire New England region has been identified as key states for the successful passage of The Family Act. That’s why it’s so important that as many New Englanders as possible join RESOLVE in Washington, D.C. on April 25th to make their voices heard as key constituent supporters of this bill.
How Do I Participate?
RESOLVE has created a list of resources with regard to travel and logding to help you get down there. Are you involved with one of our Peer Support Groups? Consider going as a group and sharing a hotel room to save on lodging costs. Consider asking your fertility clinic or friends and family to sponsor your travel costs. More travel tips and cost-saving recommendations can be found here.
Registration is $10.00 if this is your first Advocacy Day; past participants may register for free. Register online here.
We hope you’ll join RESOLVE New England and represent our region proudly on April 25th!