As promised, when I got 500 signed petition over the weekend, I would reach out to legislators. And I did that yesterday. But instead of telling them we were 500 supporters strong on this super important topic, I told them we were 1000+ STRONG. That is AWESOME!!! We got 1000+ supporters over a short five-day period. You all are so AMAZING! When I called I had a script but I mostly just told everyone my story, our story, of injustice done to women after pregnancy loss, and asked them what I needed to do next. Everyone I spoke to were super helpful!
I also learned that we are NOT alone and we are NOT starting from scratch. On July 20, 2021 Senator Tammy Duckworth from Illinois introduced this bill (bill link below)
S.2390 — 117th Congress (2021-2022) Support Through Loss Act
https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/s2390/BILLS-117s2390is.xml
On that same day a house companion bill was introduced by Representative Ayanna Pressley from Massachusetts (bill link below)
H.R.4576 — 117th Congress (2021-2022) Support Through Loss Act
https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr4576/BILLS-117hr4576ih.xml
Below is a brief description of the bill:
”To allow Americans to receive paid leave time to process and address their own health needs and the health needs of their partners during the period following a pregnancy loss, an unsuccessful round of intrauterine insemination or of an assisted reproductive technology procedure, a failed adoption arrangement, a failed surrogacy arrangement, or a diagnosis or event that impacts pregnancy or fertility, to support related research and education, and for other purposes.”
You can find these bill or any other bills on https://www.congress.gov
So what does this mean, it means the bill has already made it to D.C. and are in committees in both legislative branch to discuss whether this bill should become a law. That’s great news!
I have been a school social worker with the third largest district in the US for the last 13 years. When I lost my child in the first trimester, they denied me any bereavement days. This was after I had labor and delivery in the toilet the weekend before and went to work the next day. As a result I had to take a leave of absence to process and grieve this significant trauma and loss.
The late former President Ronald Reagan said “When a child loses his parent, they are called an orphan. When a spouse loses her or his partner, they are called a widow or widower. When parents lose their child, there isn’t a word to describe them.” On October 25, 1988, Proclamation 5890 -- Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month for the month of October was birthed.
There are truly no words that can describe these parents or the pain they have to endure. I have found my purpose through my pain and it has lead me to being a lobbyist. A Lobbyist is a professional advocate that work to influence political decisions on behalf of individuals and organizations. I’m working for you and me now!
I’m learning while sharing with you because I literally have no idea how all of this works except people telling me it’s like “school house rocks” How a Bill Becomes a Law (link is attached). And what I’ve learned from calling my Senator and Congressman’s office.
The next steps is to reach out to your Senator and tell them you support the bill:
S.2390 — 117th Congress (2021-2022) Support Through Loss Act
You can find your local Senator’s information on https://www.senate.gov
At the top right hand corner of your phone you’ll see “Find your Senator” click on that.
Then click on your state. It will list your Senator and their contact information.
THEN reach out to your Congressman/Congresswoman to tell them to support the bill:
H.R.4576 — 117th Congress (2021-2022) Support Through Loss Act
You can find your local Congress person’s information on https://www.house.gov
Near the top it’ll say “Find your Representative”
Enter your zip code
It will list your congress person
*if two people are listed call them both and tell them your name and address. They’ll let you know if you’re their constituents (someone that has the power to vote them in or out of office) or not.
This is what you will say:
“My name is (first and last name). I am one of your constituents. I am calling to voice my support for the bill (S.2390 or H.R.4576).
They will ask for the spelling of your name, address, and phone number. It’s to verify that you are in fact one of their constituents.
This took me two minutes and I have a very long first and last names. At the end of the day. It’s a numbers game. If a lot of people support the bill it will move faster into becoming a federal law. This is us exercising our rights as citizens. But together we can really made a difference in the lives of families who have suffered this significant loss. I truly believe that with my whole heart! Call you Representative and Senator TODAY.
God bless,
May