2009 Albany Public Policy Conference
On February 2nd and 3rd, the Upstate New York Chapter, as a member of The National Multiple Sclerosis Society New York State MS Coalition Action Network (NYS MS CAN) participated in the 2009 Albany Public Policy Conference. The NYS MS CAN represents New York’s four NMSS Chapters and 34,000 families affected by MS in New York - one of nine states with the highest incidence of multiple sclerosis in the nation.
On February 2nd, volunteers and members of the NYS MS CAN enjoyed welcome remarks by David Chatel, Executive Vice President of Advocacy with the National MS Society followed by a presentation by guest speaker, Robin D’Andrea - MS Activist from the Long Island Chapter. Volunteers participated in a debriefing of the 2009 legislative agenda facilitated by PJ Weiner, Manager of Advocacy Programs at the NYC Chapter, and Courtney Totter, Manager of Advocacy Programs and Services at the Upstate NY Chapter, while legislative representatives from Manatt, Phelps, & Phillips, LLP presented an overview of the current political climate in NYS.
On February 3rd, several Chapter volunteers and staff hailing from Albany visited seven of their representatives in the House and the Senate, as well as five key members of the Senate and House Majority and the Governor’s administrations. In response to the Governor’s proposed budget, the Chapter’s Legislative Agenda for 2009 includes issues that are crucially important to people living with MS such as support of the proposed eligibility expansion in the Family Health Plus program; opposition to the proposed creation of Long Term Care Regional Assessment Centers and carving personal care services into Medicaid Managed Care; and the preservation of EPIC wrap around coverage. In addition, the Chapter supports the prohibition of specialty tiers in commercial health insurance plan drug formularies, and is working with Senator Tom Duane (29th District) and Assemblyman Richard Gottfried (75th District) to draft language for new legislation to proactively address this issue. Volunteers also had the opportunity to speak with legislators and their staff as hosts of the NYS MS CAN legislative breakfast, to which over 70 Assemblymembers and Senators reserved attendance.
Click Here: 2009 Legislative Agenda
Participating Chapter volunteers and staff included, from LEFT: George Hines;
Cliff Perez, MSW, Systems Advocate for the Independent Living Center of
the Hudson Valley, Inc.; Kirk Howard; Brian Austin, Courtney Totter, MSSMC,
Manager of Advocacy Programs and Services; Lori Rhodes, Program
Coordinator, and, FRONT: Jacquelyn Sheeran Dr. Marla Eglowstein and
daughter, Sophie Rich (not pictured) also participated.
For additional information about the 2009 Albany Public Policy Conference, or about how you can get involved in advocacy through the Upstate New York Chapter, please call 1.800.FIGHT MS / 1.800.344.4867 or visit our website at www.msupstateny.org.