Download 1 - Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance

[INSERT YOUR ADDRESS]
[INSERT DATE]
[INSERT MP’s CONSTITUENCY OFFICE ADDRESS]
Dear [INSERT MP NAME]:
I am writing to congratulate you on your recent success in becoming the Member of
Parliament for [INSERT RIDING HERE]. I am particularly excited about healthcare
becoming more of a focus of discussion over the coming months and years.
In Canada, health spending is expected to reach $219.1B, representing
approximately 10.9% of Canada’s GDP by 20151. As one of the most chronic
conditions in Canada, the economic burden of illness for arthritis was estimated at
$6.4 B in 20002. As a person who lives with arthritis, I feel strongly that a
collaborative and patient-centred approach can make a difference in the lives of the
4.6 millions of Canadians living with arthritis3. I am encouraged by Prime Minister
Trudeau’s mandate letter to Health Minister, the Honorable Jane Philpott, especially
with respect to the emphasis on the development of a new Health Accord, a panCanadian collaboration on health innovation, improved access to prescription
medicines which are so key to many of us living productive lives with arthritis, and
keeping Canadians healthy and productive4.
As a resident in the riding and a person living with arthritis, I would like to
introduce myself and share some of the key issues regarding arthritis in Canada. To
that end, I will set up an appointment soon to meet you in person. My aim is to equip
you with information so that you can best represent me and 4.6 million other
Canadians in your role in government.
I look forward to meeting with you in person soon, and until then, I wish you the
best.
Sincerely,
[YOUR SIGNATURE AND NAME HERE]
and Member of the Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance
National Health Expenditure Trends, 1975 to 2015, Canadian Institute for Health Information, 2015,
p. 4
2 Life with Arthritis in Canada: A personal and public health challenge, Public Health Agency of
Canada, 2010, p. 83
3 Impact of Arthritis, Arthritis Alliance of Canada, 2011, p. 15
4 Minister of Health Mandate Letter, 2015, http://pm.gc.ca/eng/minister-health-mandate-letter.
Accessed November 15, 2015.
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