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
South Dakota Insurance Grievances: Read the SD Division of Insurance Press Release
If you are a South Dakota resident and have had any issues with your MS disease modifying drugs being denied coverage by your insurance company, we'd like to hear from you. Please contact us at 800-344-4867 or submit your story to our general mailbox nth@nmss.org.
Help Everyone Living with MS
Do you have a story to tell about how MS has affected you?
What would you like lawmakers to know about MS?
Whether you know someone living with MS
or you live with MS - your story will inspire others and
help educate lawmakers about multiple sclerosis,
and the work of the MS Society.
Please share your story with us today!
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 including those within the North Central States Chapter: 4,382 in Iowa; 1,323 in North Dakota; 1,440 in South Dakota; 17 in Dakota County in Nebraska; and 230 in Kittson, Marshall, Polk, Norman, Clay and Wilkin counties in Minnesota.
Since we are a chapter that involves advocacy efforts in five different states, we have focused our efforts on the three main states of North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa. In each of these states we maintain a local Government Relations Committee with volunteers who are activists for local and state issues that have an impact on the lives of people who have MS.
- In North Dakota since they meet every other year, the chapter has focused on the education of our state legislators on what is MS and what services are provided by the chapter.
- In 2010 for South Dakota, we passed the MS Resolution, Senate Concurrent Resolution 5, and we advocated for (lobby and testified) the passage of stem cell legislation, Senate Bill 74, but the bill ended up failing.
- In Iowa, our efforts have relied on the volunteers in the area who are focused on the passage of an Iowa Scratch Lottery Ticket and the issues of lack of slots available under the Home and Community Based Wavier Services for people with disabilities.
• 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 legislators how MS affects your life.
• Government Programs
Read about available government programs and how they are working for people living with MS.
• Advocacy Resources
Learn about advocacy basics, who represents you, voter registration information, and other useful links.
Health Care Reform in South Dakota
CONTACT
Change happens through MS activism. Join the movement at www.nationalMSsociety.org/MSactivist. For more details about being an advocate in SD, ND or IA contact nth@nmss.org or call 1-800-344-4867.
