For many people living with MS, the disease is just one challenge. We must work together to break down barriers to care, improve access to quality health services, and make MS therapies more affordable. We must pursue funding for more MS research and fight for disability rights. MS Activists help turn these issues into national priorities.
The Greater Northwest, Inland Northwest, and Oregon chapters work collaboratively to influence Washington state policy. The Greater Northwest Chapter also works to influence Alaska state policy.
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Here are some tips for making an impact with your Legislative Hotline calls:
- Download our sample telephone script and letter.
- Call 1-800-562-6000, Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., or Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- State your name and full address.
- If you know the names of your legislators and your district number, give those. If you do not know, ask the hotline operator to use your address to find out who represents you.
- Identify the specific bill or issue you are calling about. If possible, use the specific bill number.
- State your position (support, opposition, changes, etc.) and keep it simple.
- Ask for a written reply (again, give your full address).
How to Describe MS to Legislators. To help you describe multiple sclerosis to legislators, you may want to use some or all of this brief explanation. Follow up with a short explanation of how the disease affects you personally.
“For unknown reasons, Washington state has one of the highest incidences of MS in the country. Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system. Symptoms may be as mild as numbness in the limbs or as severe as paralysis or loss of vision. MS is usually diagnosed in young adults in their prime of life, between the ages of 20 and 50. An estimated 400,000 Americans face the unpredictable, daily challenges of MS. Its cause and cure remain a mystery.”
The Art of a Clear Message. Effective advocates speak clearly and concisely. Decide on your key message--the single most important thing you want your listener to remember. Assume the person you are communicating with does not know anything about you, your life or the issues that affect your life.
Tips for effective, assertive communication
A passive person
- Gives up his/her rights
- Views others as superior
- Avoids problems
- Gives in to others
- Bottles up feelings
- Gets taken advantage of by others
An aggressive person
- Attacks people, not problems
- Makes demands
- Instills fear in others
- Makes choices for others
- Disrespects others’ rights
An assertive person
- Attacks problems, not people
- Claims legitimate rights
- Recognizes the rights of others
- Commands respect and respects others
- Is honest about feelings
A persuasive message will include these elements
- Your name and where you live
- A concise, yet compelling, description of how the issue affects your life and the lives of others
- The exact action you want the listener to take
- Explain how the issue affects you personally, but avoid becoming overly emotional.
- Support your point with facts. Legislators want to help, but they cannot be expected to be experts on every issue. It’s your job to educate them so that they make good decisions on your behalf.
Tips for writing letters and e-mails that make an impact
- Address only one issue and keep your letter to one page.
- Approach your legislators as partners, not opponents. Avoid angry or accusing statements. If you want your message to be heard, be calm and respectful.
- Be constructive. If possible, offer alternatives of a solution.
- Money talks. Describe any short- or long-term cost benefits of adopting your position.
- Thank them for their attention to this matter and their past support (if appropriate). Not only is this courteous, but it also shows that you follow the issues.
- Ask for their vote. If the legislators are opposed to your position, ask them to reconsider. If they support your position, thank them and ask them to have other legislators vote for the bill.
- Ask for a reply explaining their position on the issue. Be sure to include your full name and address after your signature. When they reply, write a thank you note for their response and reiterate your position.
Your Voice Counts. These numbers illustrate how any group can influence policy.
2,000: This is the number of bills introduced in a typical year in a state legislature. Only about 15 to 20 percent will become law, but all must be considered.
20%: This is the percentage of voters who contact an elected official in a typical year. It is important that voters keep in contact with lawmakers. Legislators–no matter how smart–cannot read our minds. If we want them to represent us, we have to tell them how we wish to be represented.
One Dozen: This is the number of calls or letters it takes to get a legislator’s attention on an issue. As one senator said, “That won’t buy my vote, but it will rent my attention.” If lawmakers are sorting through 2,000 bills and we want them to focus on the three or four that are important to us, then we have to rent their attention for the bills we care about. We can do this simply by generating a dozen or so calls or letters from voters in their districts.
5 to 7: This is the number of state legislators it takes to start or stop anything in most states. Anyone would be daunted by the prospect of having to win over the whole state House and whole state Senate. But that isn’t necessary. Action on bills starts in committees, which usually have nine to 13 members. To get attention on a good bill (or kill a bad bill) takes just 51 percent of that committee.
That’s the power the National MS Society can have when we advocate together for the needs of people living with MS!
For MS Activists only:
Let us know when you have an appointment with one of your elected officials
Be sure to report on any contact you have had with your elected officials