At the National MS Society, we relentlessly advocate for federal, state, and local government change essential to people with MS. We must work together to break down barriers to care, improve access to quality health services, and make MS therapies more affordable. We must fight for disability rights, MS research funding, and long-term care resources.
We are activists. We make MS issues national priority issues. We share our personal stories. And we ask our public officials for change that benefits people living with MS and others with disabilities and chronic illnesses.Change happens through MS activism. Join the movement at www.nationalMSsociety.org/MSactivist
ABOUT US
The National MS Society and individuals nationwide relentlessly advocate every day for community, state, and federal issues that impact the lives of people with MS. Our MS activists are the voices of change for the approximately 400,000 people living with MS nationwide and more than 27,000 affected in Nebraska.
With our MS activists spread across the state of Nebraska and Pottawattamie County Iowa, our efforts to advocate for local, state and federal issues is ongoing. Through phone calls, emails, and face-to-face visits during our annual Day at the Capitol, MS activists share their personal stories and ask their state legislators for support.
- Get Involved Find easy ways to be an MS activist, including tips and tools.
- Priority MS Issues Learn about our priorities for improved health care legislation and government programs — at the community, state and national levels.
- About MS Activism Read about the movement to raise awareness for MS and call for change.
- Success Stories Read about other MS activists and our success stories.
- Share Your Story Tell us about your experiences and how you see health care reform.
- Government ProgramsRead about available government programs and how they are working for people living with MS.
- Advocacy ResourcesLearn about advocacy basics, who represents you, voter registration information, and other useful links.
GET INVOLVED
Join the movement. Create change. Be an MS activist. You can take action now. Sign up at www.nationalMSsociety.org/MSactivist. Receive updates on health care reform, policy priorities, and solutions to MS issues. Encourage others to get involved too.
We are activists. Many are individuals who live with MS. Some are friends and family members. Many others are individuals who simply recognize their passion and ability to move us closer to a world free of MS. Change happens through MS activism.
HOW CAN I BE AN MS ACTIVIST?
I have a few minutes...
- Take action on a hot federal issue. link to http://capwiz.com/nmss/issues/]
- Visit the MS activist blog and leave a comment. http://www.msactivist.blogspot.com/
- Send an email to your elected official. http://www.nationalmssociety.org/get-involved/take-action/activist-toolkit/sample-letter/index.aspx
- Ask your friends, family, and colleagues to get involved. http://capwiz.com/nmss/taf/
- Call your elected official about an MS issue. http://www.nationalmssociety.org/get-involved/take-action/activist-toolkit/sample-call/index.aspx
- Read our National Health Care Reform Principles. (link to pdf)
- Register to vote. http://www.sos.state.ne.us/forms/pdf/vr.pdf
I have some spare time…
- Read about other MS activists and our success stories. http://www.nationalmssociety.org/get-involved/take-action/activism-success-stories/index.aspx
- Post MS issues on your own web site, blog, or viral space. Link back to ours.
- Learn about your elected officials and their voting records on health care issues.
- Research state legislation online.
- Download the advocacy brochure. Print copies and share with others.
- Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. Tell your story and ask for change on one issue.
- Call a talk radio show and ask for change on one issue. http://capwiz.com//nmss/dbq/media/
I can make a commitment…
- Become an advocacy volunteer. Check out local opportunities. http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/NEN/volunteer/index.aspx
- Visit your state or federal legislators in their local office. http://capwiz.com/nmss/issues/basics/?style=visit
- Talk to the chapter about becoming a spokesperson and sharing your personal story with others. jolene.manion@nmss.org
- Join our chapter MS activism committee.
- Help us recruit more MS activists at the next BikeMS or WalkMS event. http://bikenen.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=BIKE_NEN_homepage
- http://walknen.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=WLK_NEN_homepage
- Visit a self-help group or other program to talk about the power of advocacy.
- Become a subject matter expert and serve on a local task force.
- Organize an event to meet other MS activists in your community.
- Contact the chapter to learn about other opportunities. https://secure3.convio.net/nmss/site/SPageServer?pagename=NEN_contact_homepage
PRIORITY MS ISSUES
Until a cure is found, the Nebraska Chapter and our MS activists are currently pursuing:
- Health care reform
- Improved community resources
- Disability rights
- Long-term care resources
- Access to quality health care services
- Increased funding for MS research
- Accessible, affordable health insurance
Federal Issues
- In Washington, DC, we are working toward positive legislative change. Read about our priority MS issues.
- List legislation, programs, and other priorities here. Link to MS action alerts here (http://capwiz.com/nmss/issues/)
- Read the National Health Care Reform Principles (pdf). These principles help guide our role in the national health care reform debate and determine the Society’s policy priorities.
State & Local Issues
Locally, staff & volunteers are working on the following initiatives:
- Support of LR1578 which is an interim study to conduct research and provide recommendations for reform of Nebraska's health care delivery system and health care financing system. Link to http://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/index.php
- Visiting or contacting our Senators on the Health & Human Services committee in our support of LB590 which would change the Disabled Persons and Family Support Act to provide financial compensation and special food and medical needs provided to families. Link to: http://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/index.php
Sucess Story of our MS activist:
Our MS activists relentlessly advocate for local and state policies and programs that impact the lives of people with multiple sclerosis. During Nebrask's Unicameral Session in 2009 with our advocacy efforts and support, LB524 which would increase fines for handicapped parking infractions was approved and signed by Govenor Heineman on May 26th, 2009. Link to: http://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/index.php
Many people living with MS rely on government programs—for access to health care, disability benefits, and other services. The National MS Society and MS activists nationwide work to ensure those services are beneficial, accessible, and fair. Our efforts focus on the following programs:
- Medicare
- Medicaid
- Prescription Drug Plans
- Social Security Disability
- Veterans Affairs Benefits
If you’re having trouble getting what you need from a government program or other service, check out our self advocacy tools. Self advocacy means speaking up for oneself. This includes all the basics about how to advocate for yourself, plus principles and practical tips to help you succeed.
ADVOCACY AND GOVERNMENT RESOURCES
- How a bill becomes a law http://nebraskalegislature.gov/about/lawmaking.php
- State and/or local election results http://www.sos.state.ne.us/elec/
- State legislator contact site http://nebraskalegislature.gov/senators/senator_list.php
- State legislature home page http://nebraskalegislature.gov/index.php
- Secy of State voter reg site http://www.sos.state.ne.us/forms/pdf/vr.pdf
- Search for Radio Stations http://www.ontheradio.net/Stations.aspx
- Search for newspapers http://www.newspapers.com/
CONTACT: Change happens through MS activism. To learn how you can become an activist in Nebraksa, please contact Jolene Manion at the Nebraska Chapter office jolene.manion@nmss.org