The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) sent the following letter today to all members of the Senate:
Dear Majority Leader Reid:
On behalf of the 150 member organizations of the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) representing nearly 30 million patients and families afflicted with one of the 7,000 known rare diseases, we are writing to convey our strong support for passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. While this legislation has shortcomings and we will work to improve it before the President signs it into law, it is critically imperative the Senate votes to allow debate, to close debate, and to pass the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act before the end of the year.
NORD members can no longer tolerate further delay in the passage and enactment of comprehensive health reform legislation. Our members are disproportionately burdened by the countless shortcomings of our health care system. They face untenable insurance access barriers through: