On February 25 and 26th, more than 300 people affected by bleeding and clotting disorders attended NHF’s Washington Days 2009. At more than 200 individual meetings with legislators and staff, participants asked for their support to raise lifetime health insurance caps, maintain funding for the hemophilia and thrombophilia treatment center network and advance healthcare reform.

Delegations from NHF chapters across the country were joined by members of other bleeding and clotting organizations.  For the first time representatives of the National Alliance for Thrombosis and Thrombophilia (NATT) attended Washington Days, addressing vital issues for people with clotting disorders.

Participants received a warm reception in the majority of meetings, with many legislators committing to sign S. 442/H.R. 1085, the Health Insurance Coverage Protection Act. The legislation raises lifetime health insurance caps to a minimum of $5 million, with an increase to $10 million after two years. Future adjustments will be based on inflation. Many lifetime caps are still at the $1-$2 million level they were set at in the 1970s. Had these caps been expanded with inflation, they would be at the $10 million level today.