Spring is in the air! As the days get longer and the temperature starts to heat up into summer, the chapter has many exciting events coming your way! Read on to learn about one of the many services we provide, as well as advocacy efforts. Be sure to mark your calendars with the dates and times of the chapter's upcoming teleconferences, workshops and other events.

We Can Help | Chapter Counseling Program
Emotional reactions related to the diagnosis of MS may include disbelief, fear, anger, depression and guilt. Living with MS can sometimes be challenging, and so can the variety of emotional reactions a person may feel. Often, emotional health needs are overlooked, as many people are unsure where to begin. Finding someone to talk to can be an important first step. In an effort to address these emotional reactions, the chapter offers short-term professional counseling services. Read about Jen's experience with professional counseling.

We partner with community therapists and Jewish Family Service to offer non-faith-based counseling services at no cost to people with MS. If you or someone you know could benefit from short-term professional counseling services, call 1-800-344-4867 and press '1.' LEARN MORE

MS Activists Make Their Mark in March
Every year MS Activists travel to Washington, D.C. and
Sacramento to meet with their legislators. Our activists help shape public policy by discussing our priority issues and sharing their personal stories.

Over 300 activists from across the United States went to Washington, D.C. this past spring to participate in the 2010 Public Policy Conference. Activists made nearly 350 visits to congressional offices and urged:

• Full funding of the Lifespan Respite Care Act
• Advancement of the National MS and Parkinson's Disease Registries Act
• READ MORE...

The Key Elements of Health Care Reform: What does it mean for people with MS?After a year of political wrangling, in March the U.S. Congress passed major healthcare reform that was subsequently signed into law by President Obama. The following is a timeline identifying when major reforms of significance to persons living with MS are expected to take effect:

2010

• Individuals who are unable to obtain insurance due to a pre-existing condition such as MS will have access to high-risk pools. Provisions about increased eligibility, program expansion and rate reductions are still being worked out.
• Insurance companies are prohibited from...
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