It is time to ask for assistance from the CML group and I would appreciate you posting this to the CML egroup. With the impending approval of STI571, there are appropriate concerns about lack of coverage for Medicare patients. Please see below for information about a bill that will be introduced quite soon. With the impending approval of STI571, there are appropriate concerns about lack of coverage for Medicare patients. I think that CML patients need to take a proactive approach and I would suggest the following.
Someone needs to draft two letters.
One is to the cosponsors of the bills thanking them and telling them your stories. The other should be to each of your national representatives, senate and congress, asking for their support of this bill. Although the beginning and end of the letters can be the same, your stories are your own. Please note, that Novartis will have a patient assistance program, but this is provided for impact. I have attached information below about what is happening.