Louisiana MS Activism: 
Success in 2011 and Exciting Developments on the Horizon for 2012!

Louisiana Public Policy Day 2011

The work that MS Activists began during the 2011 Louisiana Public Policy Day  laid the foundation for the successes achieved during the most recent legislative session.
 
On that day, 50 of our most passionate MS Activists came together to build their activist skills in preparation for efforts that would take place during the legislative session. National MS Society staff, Government Relations Committee (GRC) members, and state officials all contributed valuable insight and coaching to the activists in attendance.

Rep. Juan LaFonta (D-New Orleans),  who authored HB 345, our priority bill, addressed attendees and answered questions. His words inspired and energized attendees as they headed off to meet with their representatives.

In-person visits allow activists to participate in dialog about critical issues and are key to building relationships with state lawmakers. Activist visits raise awareness about MS, and can make a significant difference in the path that a piece of legislation takes toward becoming law.

For example, MS Activists who visited with Rep. Steve Pugh (R-Ponchatoula) discussed the importance of ensuring consistent terms for prescription drug coverage through the life of an insurance contract. As a result of their visit, Rep. Pugh agreed that this should be a priority and offered his support of HB 345 to his constituents.

In other visits with state officials, MS Activists spoke to their representatives about continued funding for essential supports like community based services, Medicaid programs, and long-term services and supports.

At the end of the day, National MS Society and MS Activists were proud to be recognized in the Louisiana House of Representatives.

Louisiana activists who participated in Day at the Capitol deserve credit for the successes achieved during the 2011 Legislative session, and the work they began on that day surely laid the groundwork for future accomplishments.      

MS Activists Engage to Protect Access to Prescription Drugs

MS Activists were there as HB 345, our priority legislation to prohibit mid-year increases to prescription drug co-pays, made its way through the legislative process. The MS Action Network made it possible for hundreds of Louisiana activists living with MS communicate with their state officials about their experiences with high cost, disease-modifying and symptom management drugs.

MS Activist Mary Gramlich of Ponchatoula was among those who testified before the House Insurance Committee to ask Representatives to vote in favor of HB 345. Mary explained that, like many Louisianans with MS, she works very hard to stick to her modest budget in order to make her monthly health insurance premiums and prescription drug co-insurance.

Her testimony was a powerful tool in gaining the committee’s support for the bill and building momentum for its passage. HB 345 passed in the House of Representatives with an impressive 81 – 5 vote.

In the Senate HB 345 was championed by Senate President, Sen. Joel Chaisson (D-Lulling). Sen. Chaisson's testimony about his personal connection to MS and the importance of the proposed legislation during the both the House and Senate Insurance Committee hearings was key is getting support from committee members. Sen. Chaisson said:

“As the brother of a young man suffering from MS who is bound to a wheelchair for the rest of his life, I know first-hand how difficult it is to live with that kind of condition and to rely on medicines. I can’t imagine getting a letter 30, 45 days or 60 days into my policy only to find my co-pays go from $15.00 to $200.00. This is strictly an issue of fairness. Shouldn't these changes be made at the time of renewal?  The real reason insurance (companies) don’t want to do this is because they don’t want to maintain the records.”

Thanks to the combined efforts of Sen. Chaisson, and committed Louisiana MS Activists, HB 345 passed unanimously in the Senate with a 37–0 vote.

Click here to view archived recordings of the HB 345 Senate Insurance Committee Hearing or House Insurance Committee Hearing.

As passed by the Louisiana Legislature, House Bill 345, now Act 350, maintains prescription drug coverage for the entire length of an enrollee’s contract and requires 60-day notification of any changes prior to the re enrollment period. It was signed into law by Gov. Bobby Jindal on July 3rd and will become effective on January 1, 2012.

Join the Advocacy Excitement in 2012

We can already see it from here: 2012 will be an exciting year in Louisiana MS Advocacy!

The Louisiana Government Relations Committee (GRC) and MS Activists across our state are already busy planning for the 2012 legislative session, scheduled to begin on Monday, March 12.

Activists who took action in 2011 know from experience what activism can accomplish.  In addition to fairness in insurance practices in Louisiana, around the country MS Activism successes have included legislation that has advanced research efforts, ensured better care and support for people living with MS, and provided respite services to caregivers.  

We hope we count on you to be involved in 2012 as we work to create more support for people living with MS.

Stay tuned for more details about the 2012 Louisiana Public Policy Conference, our 2012 legislative priorities, and information about how you can be part of the 2012 MS Activism movement!

For questions, or to register to receive more information, please contact:
Crystal Smith, BA, MSCIR, MSSMC
Director, Programs & Services, Louisiana
Crystal.Smith@nmss.org