Access to affordable, high quality healthcare is essential for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) to live their best lives. The rapid evolution of the healthcare system in the United States, inspired in part by MS activists, has led to significant progress in the care and treatment of people with MS. Yet, much vital work remains to be done.
To guide our work in achieving access to affordable, high quality care for all people with MS, the National MS Society’s Access to High Quality MS Healthcare Task Force developed principles (online, pdf or available in Spanish) which were adopted by the Society’s National Board of Directors on November 7, 2014.
These principles (online, pdf or available in Spanish) are the foundation of our actions and — moving forward — the Society’s advocacy, communication, programmatic and research strategies will reflect these beliefs. The ultimate goal of affordable, high quality healthcare may seem elusive, but it is within grasp if everyone affected by MS — including people accessing healthcare services, healthcare providers, patient advocacy groups, family members, pharmaceutical partners, insurance partners and health policy officials — commits to improving the system through a focused, collaborative effort.